KINSHASA, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- An urgent meeting will be held on Wednesday in Uvira, South Kivu Province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following recent deadly clashes between the DRC military and local militias, the provincial government announced in a statement late Tuesday.
According to local media, clashes took place in recent days in Uvira between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and pro-government militias known as Wazalendo, which left at least eight people dead.
South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi strongly condemned what he called "verbal and physical violence," acknowledging "isolated cases" of deaths and injuries. He praised the efforts of the FARDC and the "patriotic Wazalendo" in containing the advance of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group, which is accused of "seeking to sow division."
The statement also dismissed reports that Uvira had been encircled by M23 rebels, describing such claims as "totally unfounded" and stressing that the front lines remain "fully secured and under the control of the DRC forces."
The provincial government gave no clear explanation for the incident. In a separate statement issued Monday, provincial government spokesperson Didier Kabi nevertheless referred to "a slight paralysis of activities caused by the gathering of some Wazalendo."
Since January, the M23 has captured several strategic cities, including Goma of North Kivu Province and Bukavu of South Kivu Province, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.
In South Kivu, particularly in Uvira, which became the provisional capital after Bukavu fell to M23 rebels in February, the situation remains critical. Persistent insecurity linked to the presence of armed groups, including the M23, has severely hampered the delivery of humanitarian aid and essential medical supplies.
According to the United Nations, over 27.8 million people in the DRC suffer from food insecurity, while over 7 million have been displaced, many multiple times. Enditem
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