Strategic Shifts: M23 Rebel Withdrawal from Uvira Amid Ongoing Tensions

Fri Dec 19 2025 16:02:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant development, the M23 rebel group has begun withdrawing troops from the city of Uvira in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following international pressure, amidst claims of ongoing monitoring and skepticism regarding the actual pullout.

The M23 rebel group has reported a withdrawal from Uvira, a city they captured following a recent US-brokered peace deal. Despite claims of withdrawal, local residents and the Congolese government express doubts, seeking verification of the situation on the ground. The region continues to experience unrest, following significant displacement and casualties due to the conflict.

The M23 rebel group which last week seized the Democratic Republic of Congo city of Uvira says they have begun withdrawing, promising to complete the pullout on Thursday, following pressure from the US.

The M23 group captured the strategic city near the border with Burundi days after a historic US-brokered peace deal between the Congolese and Rwandan governments aimed at ending the long-running conflict in eastern DR Congo.

However, DR Congo's government claims the reported withdrawal is a diversion and needs verification.

On Thursday morning, some Uvira residents told the BBC it was unclear if the M23 were leaving, noting that some of their trucks were still moving around the city.

The capture of Uvira drew US condemnation and warnings of sanctions against Rwanda, which the US accuses of backing the rebels—a claim Rwanda denies.

M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa stated the withdrawal was under way, while spokesman Willy Ngoma claimed it was done for the sake of peace. In a post on X, Bisimwa urged mediators and international partners to ensure the city was protected from reprisals, violence, and remilitarization.

A local civil society member, speaking on condition of anonymity for safety reasons, indicated that some M23 troops had started withdrawing, but noted that police officers affiliated with the group were still present.

Another resident expressed skepticism regarding the withdrawal, citing sightings of police trucks allegedly entering Uvira.

DR Congo government spokesman Patrick Muyaya mentioned the M23's announcement could distract the American mediation team, which is preparing to take measures against Rwanda. He described the M23's decision to leave Uvira as a positive sign, but stated the government needed to confirm the situation on the ground.

The Uvira offensive resulted in dozens dead, at least 100 wounded, and over 200,000 displaced, as reported by the UN, with at least 30,000 civilians fleeing into Burundi.

This situation unfolded despite the 4 December peace deal signed in Washington between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DR Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi, hosted by President Donald Trump. The rebels were not signatories to that peace deal but have been involved in a separate peace process led by Qatar.