Three days in the dark: Ukrainian mum turns shelter into office after power outage

Despite M23 rebels announcing a withdrawal, clashes with Congolese forces near Uvira have forced hundreds of civilians to flee their homes, adding to the region’s growing humanitarian crisis.

Reuters

30 December 2025 at 16:07:06

Residents work and charge their devices inside a support point, situated in a bomb shelter, during a long power blackout after critical civil infrastructure was hit by Saturday's Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Vyshhorod in Kyiv region, Ukraine, December 29, 2025. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Valentyn Ogirenko

Hundreds of displaced civilians fled villages near Uvira on Tuesday (December 30), carrying belongings and livestock along National Road 5, as fighting continued between Congolese armed forces and M23 rebels despite the group's announced withdrawal from the eastern city.

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) said they had seized control of the localities of Kigongo, Katongo, and Luanga following intense clashes with M23 fighters about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Uvira.

Families from Kigongo, Katongo, and Kalungwe could be seen streaming into Uvira city. The displacement adds to a worsening humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo, where M23 rebels have captured significant territory in recent years, forcing hundreds of thousands from their homes.

Despite the military gains by government forces, civilians continued pouring into Uvira seeking protection from ongoing insecurity in surrounding areas.

Production: Angela Ukomadu/Reuters