Nairobi — The M23 rebel movement has announced a unilateral withdrawal of its forces from the strategic city of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The move is described as a “trust-building measure” aimed at giving renewed peace efforts a chance to succeed. This decision follows progress made under the Doha Peace Process, including the signing of the Doha Framework Agreement on November 15, 2025.
The withdrawal comes at the request of United States mediators and is seen as a significant development in the region’s fragile diplomatic efforts. Despite continued provocations and abuses by the Congolese army (FARDC) and its allies, the M23 has chosen to initiate this measure to support the peace process. The group has warned, however, that previous withdrawals have been exploited by the FARDC and allied militias to reoccupy territory and target civilians perceived to be sympathetic to M23.
The M23 has called on guarantors of the peace process to urgently establish mechanisms to manage the city, including demilitarization, civilian protection, and ceasefire monitoring through the deployment of a neutral force. The group’s leader, Corneille Nangaa, reiterated that M23 would not allow armed groups hostile to Burundi to use areas under its control as rear bases for attacks that could undermine relations between the two neighboring countries.
The announcement comes amid heightened regional and international tensions following fierce fighting in South Kivu. Recent clashes have forced thousands of civilians to flee across the border into Burundi, with shops and schools shut and residents sheltering indoors. The situation on the ground remains unclear, with Congolese authorities issuing conflicting accounts. While M23 claimed it had “liberated” Uvira, South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi insisted that FARDC units and allied militias remained in control of the city.
The escalation unfolded barely a week after a high-profile peace agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Washington. The deal committed the two countries to a permanent ceasefire, disarmament of armed groups, refugee returns, and regional economic cooperation. However, the M23 movement is not a signatory to the Washington accord and is engaged in parallel talks with the Congolese government under Qatari mediation.
Regional diplomacy has grown increasingly strained, with Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe accusing Western governments of selectively condemning violence and ignoring repeated ceasefire violations by FARDC. Western nations, including the United States and the European Union, have in turn accused Rwanda of backing the M23 offensive and called for an immediate halt to the fighting. The United Nations reports that the latest fighting has displaced about 200,000 people, with dozens killed and wounded, while Burundi reports tens of thousands of refugees crossing its border in recent weeks.
As the M23 prepares to withdraw from Uvira, the move is being closely watched as a potential test of whether fragile diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and regional actors can finally halt a conflict that has plagued eastern Congo for more than three decades. The success of this withdrawal and the subsequent management of the city will be crucial in determining the future of peace efforts in the region.