Fighters from the rebel group March 23 Movement (M23) began withdrawing from their positions in Uvira, a strategic city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this Wednesday.

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“The withdrawal of AFC/M23 forces from the city of Uvira is underway and will be completed by tomorrow,” said M23 political leader Bertrand Bisimwa on the social media platform X, urging local residents to remain calm.

Military vehicles and M23 members were seen leaving their main base in the city. Lawrence Kanyuka, a spokesman for the rebel group, confirmed the withdrawal but did not provide further details.

Tu #DRC 🇨🇩 After Uvira fell to M23 rebels backed by Rwanda’s army, Kinshasa is urging Washington to tighten sanctions on Kigali.
FM Thérèse @kayikwambaT Wagner says current measures are not enough as violence and displacement intensify in the East.#Congo #Uvira #M23 #Rwanda pic.twitter.com/7IUpbE82Oo

— Africa universal English (@Africa_Univers1) December 10, 2025

After declaring the capture of Uvira on December 10, the M23 announced on Monday its decision to “unilaterally withdraw its forces” at the request of US mediators.

Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a political-military coalition allied with the M23, emphasized a “conditional” withdrawal and demanded security guarantees, including the deployment of a neutral force.

In a statement, Nangaa said the decision came after recent progress in the Doha peace process, including the signing of the Doha Framework Agreement in November.

Uvira, located near the border with Burundi on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, served as the interim administrative center for South Kivu after the provincial capital, Bukavu, fell to the M23 in February.

Analysts and local sources have warned that the loss of Uvira could eventually open a corridor into southeastern DRC, including Haut-Katanga, a key economic region. Clashes have also been reported further south in the Baraka and Fizi territories of South Kivu.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.