Fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has escalated sharply, with M23 rebels claiming they have seized the strategic city of Uvira, though regional officials dispute that the city has fallen. As heavy weapons are reportedly evacuated and hundreds of thousands of civilians flee intensified clashes, pressure is mounting on the United States to impose sanctions on Kigali, while both sides trade accusations of ceasefire violations.

To unpack what this latest rebel push means for the fragile Washington accord, and for the fate of millions of civilians trapped between warring forces, we are joined now by former DRC Presidential candidate, Patrice Majondo Mwamba.