Rebel forces have entered the last government-held city in mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in an offensive that has forced thousands to flee across the border into Burundi, residents say.
Heavy artillery and gunfire could be heard in Uvira, with terrified residents describing the situation as chaotic.
The escalation in fighting comes despite the peace deal brokered by US President Donald Trump last week between DR Congo's President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda's Paul Kagame to end the long-running conflict.
The M23 rebel group claimed they had 'liberated' the city, while UN-backed Radio Okapi reported local residents stating that rebel fighters were on major streets.
However, South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi assured local media that the army and allied militia still controlled the city, which is just 27km (17 miles) from Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, across Lake Tanganyika.
Burundi has since shut its border with DR Congo due to the influx of refugees, with reports indicating over 8,000 arrivals in just two days.
One resident recounted seeing armed M23 fighters march into Uvira without any resistance, and while some residents greeted them with enthusiasm, the general atmosphere was one of fear.
The city is now in lockdown, with businesses and schools closed as the residents seek safety indoors, with alarming reports of explosions in the vicinity.
A local rights official warned of a 'risk of a massacre' if the army initiated strong resistance, further exacerbating the already tense situation.
Military reports indicated that M23 fighters advanced from the northern regions near the Burundian border, posing renewed threats to regional stability as international calls for peace intensify.
As the conflict heightens, global concerns focus on the broader implications for East Africa, and whether the recent attempts at diplomacy can provide any relief from decades of violence in the region.
