Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 said that it's taken control of the strategic city of Uvira in eastern Congo on Wednesday afternoon, following a rapid offensive since the start of the month.

The announcement, made on X by M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, encouraged citizens to return to their homes. Uvira is an important port city on the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika and is directly across from Burundi's largest city, Bujumbura.

Congolese authorities didn't immediately comment on whether M23 had taken the city.

M23's latest offensive comes despite a U.S.-mediated peace agreement signed last week by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Washington. The accord didn't include the rebels, who are negotiating separately with Congo and agreed earlier this year to a ceasefire that both sid

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