Name: M23 rebels again announce withdrawal from eastern DRC city
Uploaded: 2026-01-18T17:02:45.610Z
Duration: 2 min 16 s
Description: In eastern DRC, the armed group AFC/M23 says it will place the city of Uvira under the responsibility of the international community.

In eastern DRC, the armed group AFC/M23 says it will place the city of Uvira under the responsibility of the international community.

Uvira

The M23 rebel group has announced its intention to withdraw from the city of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking the second such announcement. The group has called for the deployment of a neutral force to protect civilians and infrastructure, but residents remain wary due to previous unfulfilled withdrawals and ongoing fighting in the region.

Clashes between M23 and other armed groups, including the Wasilendo militia, continue around Uvira and nearby areas. Local sources report that M23 recently took control of the strategic town of Lamira, despite calls for a ceasefire. Analysts have urged the international community to enforce peace agreements, while both the Congolese government and the UN mission MONUSCO have yet to officially respond to the latest developments.

M23 rebels again announce withdrawal from eastern DRC city

M23 rebels in eastern Congo say they will withdraw from the city of Uvira. They called for the deployment of a neutral force to ensure the protection of civilians and strategic infrastructure. Residents received the announcement with caution and concern. We heard that they're going to leave, but we don't know if they've really left or if they will leave, because this isn't the first time they announce it. This will be the second time. What worries us here in Uvira is our security. How are we going to live after the M23 leave? Clashes between Wasilendo fighters and the M23 have been reported around Uvira. Local sources say the rebels took control of the strategic town of Lamira on Thursday despite repeated calls for a ceasefire. They're still fighting, especially in the southern parts of Uvira, in Makabola and other localities, and this worries us, but if they do withdraw, it will be a good thing. In a letter to the UN on Thursday, the M23 warned of persistent security threats. Its political coordinator cited actors not signatory to the peace agreements, including the Burundian army, Rwandan FDLR rebels and Wasilendo militia supporting the Congolese armed forces. Analysts say the international community must enforce commitments on the ground. The American mediation which obtained the withdrawal of M23 from the city of Uvira didn't take steps to verify not only the withdrawal of the M23, but also the transitional period. Security issues regarding the city of Uvira were unfortunately not taken into account by the mediation. For now, neither the Congolese government nor the UN Stabilization Mission and the DRC, MONUSCO, has officially responded to the M23's latest statements. Civilians remain uncertain about the future of the peace process and the guarantee of their immediate safety.

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