The 2017 CNPSC offensive was a military offensive launched by rebels of the National Coalition of the People for the Sovereignty of Congo (CNPSC) on 30 June 2017 against security forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and MONUSCO. The goal of the offensive was to capture major settlements, mainly in South Kivu province in order to raise support for a popular uprising against then-president Joseph Kabila, who the coalition had deemed as an illegitimate president. The offensive culminated in the Battle of Uvira in which rebels attempted to capture the major city, but were eventually pushed out by state security forces. The offensive continued after the battle, but then ended as a counter offensive by the FARDC began in December. Background The CNPSC coalition was brokered by William Yakutumba, a prominent Mai-Mai commander involved in armed rebellion since the 1990s. It unified around 12 Mai-Mai groups into a coalition, aimed at removing the government of Joseph Kabila, who had delayed scheduled elections in late 2016. The idea of the coalition had been around since about 2013, but only became in existence after Kabila's electoral delay. Several armed groups came to be prominent in the group, notably Yakutumba's PARC-FAAL, the Mai-Mai Malaika, and the Uvira hills-based Mai-Mai groups of René Itongwa, Réunion Warusasa, and several others. The Offensive June 1 June The offensive began with rebel forces of Yakutumba's group attacking Force Bendera, the site of a hydroelectric dam in Tanganyika Province. CNPSC forces stormed the area, which was protected by elements of the FARDC, in an attempt to secure weapons. Two FARDC soldiers were killed in the attack, and the rebel forces made off with a large stash of arms and ammunition. 30 June On June 30, Congolese Independence Day, the coalition was announced by Yakutumba, who stated his intention to overthrow Joseph Kabila's government, which he called illegitimate. The same day, the coalition attacked and captured the localities of Lulimba, Misisi, Lubondja, and Iseke. July 1 July Heavy fighting erupted south of Fizi town, with the CNPSC occupying several localities. The FARDC claimed that they had the situation under control, and locals stated that they had seen an increased presence of FARDC troops in Fizi town. 3 July The FARDC reported that they had recaptured some localities under CNPSC control south of the mining town of Misisi in Fizi Territory. 4 July The CNPSC announced their intention