Rwanda-backed M23 rebels say they have captured key city in eastern DRC

Uvira on Tuesday. The capture of the city could give rebels a clear path to expand further into other parts of the DRC, observers say. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels claimed to have captured a key eastern city in Democratic Republic of the Congo as they continued their march to control more of Africa’s second largest country.

In statements in English and French on Wednesday evening, a rebel spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, claimed the city of Uvira had been “fully liberated, secured and under the control of the liberation forces”.