The security situation remained tense on Sunday in the eastern Congolese city of Uvira, near the border with Burundi, following widespread looting that targeted public infrastructure, homes, and places of worship.
According to local sources, several state buildings, churches, and residences belonging to members of the Banyamulenge community were ransacked by Wazalendo militiamen alongside groups of civilians.
The violence erupted a day after the withdrawal of AFC/M23 forces from the area, creating a security vacuum that appears to have been quickly exploited.
Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as armed individuals and mobs broke into offices, homes, and religious institutions, carrying away furniture, equipment, and other valuables.
Some residents fled their neighborhoods fearing further attacks, while others sought refuge in nearby areas.
Local civil society leaders have condemned the violence, warning that the targeting of specific communities and religious sites risks deepening ethnic and political tensions in the region.
They have called on Congolese authorities to restore order and protect civilians.
As of Sunday evening, it remained unclear how many people had been displaced or injured. The Congolese government has not yet issued an official statement on the incidents.
Uvira, a strategic city on Lake Tanganyika, has long been vulnerable to armed group activity, communal violence, and political instability.
The latest unrest underscores ongoing challenges in eastern DRC, where shifting military dynamics often leave civilians exposed.