The AFC/M23 rebel movement has said the DR Congo government has shut down all telecommunications networks in Uvira and surrounding areas in a bid to hide abuses committed by the army and its affiliated militias. The allegation comes amid renewed violence, looting and forced displacement of civilians in the city that has now been taken over the government forces and the Wazalendo militia after the rebels withdrew their forces on January 15. ALSO READ: Looting, displacement reported in Uvira hours after AFC/M23 withdraw “The Kinshasa regime has just ordered the shutdown of all telecommunications networks in the city of Uvira and its surroundings in order to hush up its own abuses that are being committed in these areas where it has deployed its so-called cleaning units,” Bertrand Bisiimwa, deputy coordinator of AFCM23, said on Wednesday. Following the AFC/M23's withdrawal, reports emerged of looting, gunfire, and civilian displacement in Uvira, a city that had fallen under rebel control in early December. The Wazalendo militia, allied with Congolese army, Burundian troops, FDLR, entered the city. Targeted looting affected homes, public buildings, and places of worship, prompting some residents, especially from the Banyamulenge community, to flee. ALSO READ: Nangaa asks UN to deploy neutral force to Uvira AFC/M23 announced their withdrawal from Uvira on January 15 and requested the United Nations to deploy a neutral force placing the city under the responsibility of the international community to safeguard civilians. The movement emphasized that its exit reflected a gesture of good faith and commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The Congolese government has not publicly responded to the allegations. The situation in Uvira remains tense, with AFC/M23 and other observers cautioning that continued military activity by state and non-state actors threaten civilian safety and regional stability.
