Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo say more than 400 civilians have been killed as fighting intensifies in South Kivu province. Regional officials blame the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group, which has continued its advance despite a recent United States-mediated peace agreement between the Congolese and Rwandan presidents.
Residents say M23 fighters have taken control of the strategic town of Uvira, displacing around 200,000 people and forcing many to flee towards rural areas. The South Kivu government said civilians were killed by bullets, grenades and bombs in several communities between Uvira and Bukavu.
In a statement, provincial authorities accused Rwandan special forces and foreign mercenaries of operating in violation of the ceasefire and recent agreements signed in Washington and Doha. The United States has called on Rwanda to withdraw its forces, saying it remains deeply concerned by the escalating violence.
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Rwanda denies supporting M23 and instead accuses Congolese forces of breaking the ceasefire. The United Nations estimates the group now has around 6,500 fighters as more than 100 armed groups continue to battle for territory in the mineral-rich east, where officials say over seven million people are displaced.
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