Content_paragraphs:  The situation in South Kivu remained volatile owing to the presence of foreign 
  
  and Congolese armed groups, intercommunal conflict and the illicit exploitation of 
  
  natural resources, as well as ongoing military operations by FARDC. On the highlands 
  
  of Fizi, Uvira and Mwenga territories, intercommunal tensions, all supported by 
  
  various Mai-Mai groups, resulted in population displacement and the destruction of 
  
  89 villages, between March and October 2019. All parties recruited and used children. 
  
  In Fizi and Uvira territories, children were also recruited by Mai-Mai groups to 
  
  protect local communities from elements of the Forces nationales de libération (FNL) 
  
  and Résistance pour un État de droit au Burundi-Tabara, both Burundian armed 
  
  groups opposing the Burundian government. In addition, the level of activity of armed 
  
  groups in South Kivu further increased, following the forced movement of CNRD 
  
  combatants and dependants from North Kivu to South Kivu. In December 2019, 
  
  FARDC launched operations against CNRD, resulting in the surrender of 360 
  
  
  
  S/2020/1030 
   
  
   
  
  20-13818 4/16 
  
   
  
  combatants with 1,200 dependants, including 384 children, who were held in 
  
  Nyamunyuni camp, Kabare territory, managed by FARDC. While awaiting 
  
  repatriation to Rwanda, at least 11 children died and many others fell ill, as l iving 
  
  conditions in the camp were inadequate. Military pressure by FARDC and advocacy 
  
  from the country task force resulted in the release of children by Mai-Mai Yakutumba 
  
  in Fizi territory. Raia Mutomboki factions, who continued to recruit and use children  
  
  and commit sexual violence against children, remained active in Kabare, Kalehe, 
  
  Shabunda and Walungu territories, often with peaks in violence after FARDC 
  
  redeployment from those areas to the Hauts Plateaux region.  
  
   
  
  Ituri