Thousands of civilians are fleeing their homes in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as heavy clashes erupt once again between government forces and M23 rebels — just days after the DRC and Rwanda reaffirmed a peace agreement.

Residents in South Kivu have begun a mass exodus from villages including Luvungi, Katogota, and Kamanyola, escaping under the sound of explosions while carrying whatever belongings they can manage.

“The M23 and the Congolese army are dropping many bombs on Luvungi,” said Mulumbulwa Gabriel, a displaced resident, who told Africanews that the violence has already claimed several lives. “Since the day before yesterday, they have caused numerous deaths. Yesterday, people were killed in my neighborhood, which is why we decided to flee today.”

Local sources report that around 20 civilians have been killed in the Ruzizi Plain as fighting stretched into Saturday.

“We are walking to Uvira,” said Aline Sambuka, another fleeing resident. “May the authorities help put an end to this war! We want to go back home and live like everyone else. Many people have died because of the bombings. I survived with my children.”

The renewed fighting comes less than 48 hours after Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame signed a pact in Washington with the goal of reducing tensions and restoring stability. But accusations of ceasefire violations by both the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and M23 rebels have already cast doubt on the agreement, heightening fear among civilians trapped in the conflict.