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). Described as a “trust‑building measure,” the pull‑out is intended to give renewed peace efforts a chance to succeed. It follows progress made under the Doha Peace Process, including the signing of the Doha Framework Agreement on 15 November 2025, and comes at the request of United States mediators, marking a significant development in the region’s fragile diplomatic landscape.
Despite ongoing provocations and abuses by the Congolese army (FARDC) and its allies, the M23 has chosen this step to support the peace process. The group warned, however, that previous withdrawals have been exploited by the FARDC and allied militias, which reoccupied territory and targeted civilians perceived as sympathetic to M23. Accordingly, M23 called on the guarantors of the peace process to urgently establish mechanisms for managing the city, including demilitarisation, civilian protection and cease‑fire monitoring through the deployment of a neutral force.
M23 leader Corneille Nangaa reiterated that the movement 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 neighbouring countries. The announcement comes amid heightened regional and international tensions following fierce fighting in South Kivu, which has forced thousands of civilians to flee across the border into Burundi, shuttered shops and schools, and driven residents indoors.
The situation on the ground remains unclear. While M23 claimed it had “liberated” Uvira, South Kivu Governor Jean‑Jacques Purusi insisted that FARDC units and allied militias still controlled the city. The escalation unfolded barely a week after a high‑profile peace agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Washington. That deal committed the two countries to a permanent cease‑fire, 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. Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe accused Western governments of selectively condemning violence while ignoring repeated cease‑fire violations by the FARDC. In response, the United States, the European Union and other Western nations have accused Rwanda of backing the M23 offensive and have called for an immediate halt to the fighting. The United Nations reports that the latest clashes have displaced about 200,000 people, with dozens killed and wounded, while Burundi says tens of thousands of refugees have crossed its border in recent weeks.
As 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 the withdrawal and the subsequent management of the city will be crucial in determining the future of peace efforts in the region.
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