The M23 armed group has begun pulling its forces out of the strategic eastern Congolese town of Uvira, marking a potentially significant step in the fragile peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The withdrawal comes after pressure from United States mediators and follows the town’s recent capture by the Rwanda-backed militia.
M23 Begins Withdrawal
Exclusive footage aired by Al Jazeera on Wednesday shows dozens of M23 fighters and military vehicles departing from their main base in Uvira. Willy Ngoma, a spokesperson for the group, confirmed the move on X (formerly Twitter):
“For the sake of peace, our troops began leaving the town of Uvira this afternoon.”
Bertrand Bisimwa, head of M23’s political wing, added that the withdrawal was expected to be completed by Thursday. He urged civilians to remain calm and called on mediators to ensure the town remained protected from violence, retaliation, and re-militarization.
Strategic Importance of Uvira
Uvira, located in South Kivu province near the border with Burundi, is a key town in eastern DRC. Its capture by M23 last week threatened a US-brokered peace agreement between Kinshasa and Kigali, signed just days earlier. Analysts warned that the takeover risked escalating conflict across the region.
The M23’s decision to withdraw was framed as a “unilateral trust-building measure” to allow the peace process to move forward, although the DRC government criticized the move as a potential distraction.
Tensions and Conditions
Despite the withdrawal announcement, the DRC government described the pledge as a “nonevent, a diversion, a distraction,” claiming that M23’s conditions for leaving had not yet been fully met. DRC Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya accused the group of attempting to mislead US mediators preparing potential measures against Rwanda.
M23 has requested that a neutral force be deployed in Uvira to maintain security after their departure, citing previous withdrawals that resulted in renewed violence.
Civilians and Daily Life
Al Jazeera correspondent Alain Uaykani reported from Uvira that the town’s residents were beginning to resume daily life. Markets reopened, and traffic returned to the streets, signaling a fragile return to normality after days of fighting.
Locals expressed mixed emotions, balancing cautious optimism with fear. Resident Feza Mariam said:
“We don’t know anything about the political process that they’re talking about. The only thing we need is peace. Anyone who is able to provide us with peace is welcome here.”
Another resident, Eliza Mapendo, noted that while calm has returned sufficiently for daily activities, the threat of sudden attacks remains:
“They could attack without any reason and take your business away.”
Ongoing Fighting in Eastern DRC
While Uvira sees a temporary calm, the broader eastern DRC remains volatile. DRC army spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge told Reuters:
“There isn’t a day without fighting in North Kivu and South Kivu,” highlighting the ongoing instability in the region despite M23’s withdrawal.
The Path Forward
The withdrawal from Uvira is considered a critical test for the peace process mediated by the United States. Analysts emphasize that regional stability in eastern DRC depends on continued engagement from both local and international actors, including neutral peacekeeping forces.
Although the immediate threat to Uvira may have lessened, the situation underscores the precarious nature of conflict resolution in areas affected by armed groups, cross-border militancy, and longstanding political tensions.
Key Takeaways
- M23 rebels have begun withdrawing from Uvira in eastern DRC.
- The move follows pressure from US mediators and is part of a fragile peace process.
- The town is strategically located in South Kivu, near the Burundi border.
- Civilians have cautiously resumed normal activities, though fear remains.
- Fighting continues across eastern DRC, highlighting ongoing regional instability.
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