Heavy Shelling in Mikenke Despite AFC/M23 Withdrawal Announcement

Uvira, DRC - December 19, 2025 - Residents of Mikenke, a locality in Uvira territory, reported heavy shelling early Friday morning, despite the AFC/M23’s earlier claims of having withdrawn from the city.

Bertrand Bisimwa, President of the M23 and Deputy Coordinator of the AFC/M23, stated that bombardments began at 6:38 a.m., attributing the attacks to forces allied with the Kinshasa government, including the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), Wazalendo militias, and the Burundian army.

The shelling underscores ongoing uncertainty over the security situation, as the AFC/M23 insists it no longer maintains military control over Uvira.

No independent confirmation of the attacks was available at the time, and information on casualties or damage remains unknown. Authorities from both the DRC and Burundi had not commented publicly.