Shelling reported in Mikenke, Uvira, after AFC/M23 announces withdrawal

Kinshasa, December 18, 2025 - Heavy bombardments were reported early Friday morning in Mikenke, a locality in Uvira territory, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, despite the AFC/M23’s earlier announcement that it had withdrawn from Uvira.

According to Bertrand Bisimwa, President of the M23 and Deputy Coordinator of the AFC/M23, shelling began at 6:38 a.m. on December 19, 2025. He accused forces allied to the Kinshasa government-namely the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), Wazalendo militias, and the Burundian army-of carrying out the attacks.

The reported bombardments come at a time when the AFC/M23 maintains that it no longer exercises military control over Uvira, raising questions about the current security dynamics in the area.

There was no immediate independent confirmation of the shelling, and no information was available on casualties or damage. Congolese and Burundian authorities had not commented at the time of publication.