Armed rebel groups have seized control of the city of Uvira in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), near the border with Burundi, triggering serious regional and humanitarian concerns.

The takeover has alarmed the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), whose officials warned that the escalation is deepening the humanitarian crisis and increasing the risk of cross-border instability. Speaking at an emergency meeting of the ICGLR Defense Experts Committee in Zambia’s tourist capital Livingstone, Deputy Executive Secretary Yasir Muhammed said the conflict has caused widespread displacement and severely disrupted humanitarian assistance.

“The fighting has led to immense human suffering, mass displacement, and serious obstacles to humanitarian operations,” Muhammed stated.

Zambia’s Ministry of Defense spokesperson Paul Shalala called on member states to take decisive action to halt the escalation, warning that continued violence could further destabilize the region. The extraordinary meeting brought together representatives from 12 ICGLR member states, including Angola, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The developments in Uvira have also drawn the attention of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG), chaired by Germany and comprising the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and several European countries. In a statement, the group expressed “profound concern” over renewed violence in eastern Congo, particularly around Uvira, warning that the fighting carries serious destabilizing potential for the wider region.

The ICG urged all parties to immediately halt military operations, protect civilians, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and comply with UN Security Council resolutions as well as regional and international peace agreements.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue to contain the conflict. Regional leaders have held high-level consultations, including talks hosted by Angola aimed at advancing proposals to end the violence and prevent further deterioration of security in eastern Congo.

The seizure of Uvira marks a significant escalation in the long-running conflict in the Great Lakes region, underscoring growing fears that continued instability could spill beyond Congo’s borders and worsen an already dire humanitarian situation.(ILKHA)