Uvira’s Slow Comeback After Battle

The town of Uvira, on the border with Burundi and a key trading spot by Lake Tanganyika, is slowly regaining life after a brief occupation. In December, fighters from the AFC/M23 group took control of Uvira and left a week later when pressure from the United States pushed them out. This allowed Congolese forces to return in mid‑January and start putting the town back under government rule. When officials began moving back, they found that many offices had been broken into. The mayor, Kifara Kapenda Kik'y, described how the town hall had been ransacked: windows smashed, furniture broken, and important papers scattered everywhere. He told reporters that everything had to be rebuilt from scratch. Because many civil servants fled during the fighting, only a small team is working in Uvira right now. Kik'y told staff that the goal was to restore order through law, not by seeking revenge. He also said that a full administration would return once more people can come back safely.The AFC/M23 takeover was part of a larger push across eastern Congo last year. They captured other major cities like Goma and Bukavu, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes. Since then, Congo and the group have been talking in Qatar, agreeing on a ceasefire in October. Last week both sides finalized how they would watch the truce, paving the way for a United Nations peacekeeping force to come in. The head of the UN mission, Jean‑Pierre Lacroix, said that they would start with aerial surveys. However, he added that all parties must promise safety before the mission can send helicopters and soldiers into Uvira. The situation in Uvira shows how fragile peace can be after a quick battle. Rebuilding the town will take time, but with careful steps and international help, there is hope that normal life can return.