Published On 16/12/2025
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Last update: 12:47 (Mecca time)
In a new development in the years-long conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Congo River Alliance/M23 rebels announced the withdrawal of their fighters from the strategic city of Uvira in South Kivu province.
This step came after intense international pressure – especially from the United States and other partners – to urge all parties to adhere to the recently reached peace arrangements and avoid further bloodshed.
In a written statement posted on social media, the Congo River Alliance/M23 said the withdrawal from Uvira is a “confidence-building measure” aimed at supporting ongoing negotiations within the framework of the Doha Peace Process, where Congolese authorities and rebel representatives are holding talks aimed at ending hostilities.
The group said that the withdrawal came at the request of American mediation, and called for “the disarmament of the city and the deployment of a neutral force” to protect civilians and monitor the ceasefire.
The movement described the decision as a step to promote dialogue and revive peace talks.
American pressure
This announcement comes days after senior American officials made public accusations against Rwanda in which they said that it directed and supported the M23 attack that led to the control of the city of Uvira, a pivotal city near the border with Burundi, warning that Washington may take action if Kigali fails to adhere to the pledges contained in the Washington agreement sponsored by the United States.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said over the weekend that Rwanda’s movements in eastern Congo constitute a “clear violation” of the peace agreement in Washington that was signed earlier this month, stressing that President Donald Trump will take the necessary steps to ensure the fulfillment of the promises made to him.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described the attack on Uvira as a “serious mistake,” warning that the partnership between the United States and Rwanda cannot continue under these circumstances.
Rebel fears
The M23 claimed that previous experiences showed that Congolese forces and allied militias had exploited previous withdrawals to reclaim territory and target civilians seen as sympathetic to the movement.
The movement urged the guarantors of the peace process to ensure the protection of the population and infrastructure during the withdrawal process.
The group also said it would not allow armed groups hostile to Burundi or the Congolese government to use areas under its control as rear bases to launch cross-border attacks, in reference to regional concerns raised by Burundi following the fall of Uvira.
This step comes at a time when international mediators are racing against time to save the peace frameworks in Washington and Doha, which aimed to stop decades of conflict in eastern Congo, but were subjected to severe pressure after the Uvira attack.
Ovira Flashpoint
Uvira was a major point of tension in the conflict, as the M23 coalition had taken control of it earlier, which increased tensions despite a US-brokered agreement signed by the presidents of Congo and Rwanda in early December to reduce violence.
The attack led to the displacement of large numbers of civilians and shocked the region in defiance of those peaceful commitments.
The leadership in Kinshasa and international bodies strongly criticized the military progress, considering that it threatened the fragile peace process.
Although the announcement of this withdrawal indicates the possibility of reducing the escalation, analysts warn that the conditions associated with the withdrawal and the movement’s broader strategic goals may complicate the implementation of the decision on the ground.
The situation in eastern Congo remains volatile, with humanitarian concerns and regional security risks continuing in parallel as negotiations continue.