The DRC army has regained control of the eastern city of Uvira after fighters from the AFC/M23 coalition withdrew, the military said on Monday.
In a statement, the armed forces accused the Alliance Fleuve Congo, a rebel coalition that includes M23, of carrying out what it described as systematic looting of the city before pulling out. The army also alleged the presence of Rwandan troops alongside the rebels, a claim Kigali continues to deny.
Military officials said around 20 civilians suspected of involvement in looting were arrested and will face trial. Security forces have been deployed across Uvira and surrounding areas to consolidate control and protect residents and commercial property.
The recapture of Uvira comes roughly a month after AFC/M23 fighters seized the city on December 10. The group later announced a withdrawal, which it said followed diplomatic pressure after talks mediated by the US between the DRC and Rwanda.
Uvira is a strategic commercial centre near the border with Burundi and had been serving as the temporary capital of South Kivu province following earlier rebel advances.
Despite a ceasefire agreement signed in Washington on December 4, AFC/M23 forces have continued to expand their presence across South Kivu. The group currently controls large areas, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, both seized earlier in 2025.
The UN, Kinshasa, and several international actors have accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebellion, allegations that the Rwandan government has repeatedly rejected.