M23 took Luvungi after five days of intense fighting against the Congolese army (FARDC), Burundian forces (FDNB) and Wazalendo militia fighters.

Reports indicate that after being pushed out of the area, those forces fled towards Sange and the city of Uvira.

Luvungi was captured on Saturday afternoon, adding to the Rurambo area in the highlands of Uvira which AFC/M23 forces had already taken earlier that same morning.

This comes after Rwanda and the DRC signed an agreement in Washington, United States, on Thursday, December 4, 2025, ending 30 years of conflict between the two countries.

The conflict has largely affected eastern Congo, where M23 widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, although Kigali denies this has recently become the dominant force in the region.

The agreement was overseen by U.S. President Donald Trump, who praised President Kagame and President Tshisekedi for the courage they showed in agreeing to sign the deal.