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The border connects Uvira, a strategic town in South Kivu province, to Bujumbura, Burundi’s main commercial city, and its reopening is expected to ease movement for thousands of people and goods affected by the closure.
Mugo admitted her sacrifices to MMA, saying that she might fight in April, pending her management's approval of a fighter of her weight category and belt.
The M23 has been active along the eastern borders with Rwanda and Burundi since 2021, targeting towns and strategic locations. Repeated attempts at peace have failed, with several ceasefires signed and broken over the last few years.
Federation president Alfred Simiyu Barasa was unhappy with the treatment of his charges, arguing that if the government wants better results from its athletes, then it must invest in quality facilities, preparation, and better treatment.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations’ Conflicts to Watch in 2026 report, several ongoing and potential conflicts on the African continent remain significant sources of instability in the year ahead.
The Council condemned the ongoing attacks by the M23 rebel group, noting that the offensive, reportedly backed by the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), threatens regional stability. It called on the armed group to stop its operations immediately and urged Rwanda to remove its forces from Congolese territory.
The movement also called on the United Nations Security Council to press Kinshasa to honour its commitments under the Doha Peace Process.
The US signalled that it is prepared to respond to ensure compliance with the agreements endorsed by President Donald Trump.
On Friday, pedestrians and motorbikes were spotted moving through parts of the city along Lake Tanganyika, signaling a cautious return of daily activities. The day before, M23 fighters had combed the streets to remove remaining Congolese troops and allied local militias, commonly referred to as “Wazalendo,” after taking control of strategic districts.
In a statement issued on Thursday, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf warned that the latest violence threatens to undermine recent diplomatic progress and urged regional actors to exercise restraint.
Youssouf acknowledged the supportive role of the United States, highlighting the personal involvement of President Donald Trump in creating conditions that made the negotiations possible. He also commended Qatar for its diplomatic support and readiness to assist Africa-led peace initiatives.
The DRC government said in a statement the new framework "aims to create, in the shortest time possible, the conditions for a real and measurable change for the people."