M23 Rebels Begin Withdrawal from Uvira Amid US Peace Deal Pressure

Thu Dec 18 2025 18:15:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The M23 rebel group announces a withdrawal from the strategic city of Uvira in the Democratic Republic of Congo following US-led pressure, amidst skepticism from the local government and residents.

The M23 rebel group, recently in control of Uvira, has started withdrawing troops after a US-brokered peace deal, but the DR Congo government questions the authenticity of this withdrawal, stating it requires confirmation. Local residents express uncertainty about the M23's exits, and the situation remains tense following a violent offensive in the region.

The rebel group which last week seized the Democratic Republic of Congo city of Uvira say 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 Congolese and Rwandan governments aimed at ending the long-running conflict in eastern DR Congo.

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

On Thursday morning some Uvira residents told the BBC it was not clear if the M23 were leaving, with some of their trucks still moving around the city.

The capture of Uvira sparked US condemnation and warning of sanctions against Rwanda. The US accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, which it denies.

M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said on Wednesday that the withdrawal was under way, with spokesman Willy Ngoma adding that this was 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 remilitarisation.

A local civil society member, who did not want to be named for his own safety, told the BBC that some M23 troops had started withdrawing. However, he said police officers from the same group were still moving in.

Another resident expressed doubts about the withdrawal. It seems they are still here. In fact, yesterday I saw them bringing in the police trucks, the resident told the BBC on Thursday morning.

DR Congo government spokesman Patrick Muyaya described the M23's announcement as an attempt to distract the American mediation team. He characterized the withdrawal as a positive sign but insisted it required confirmation from the government.

Earlier he had called for vigilance in response to the alleged withdrawal.

The Uvira offensive left dozens dead, at least 100 wounded, and over 200,000 displaced, according to the UN, with at least 30,000 civilians fleeing into Burundi.

This unrest occurred despite the peace deal signed on December 4 between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi in Washington, hosted by President Donald Trump.

While the rebels were not part of that agreement, they continue their involvement in a parallel peace process facilitated by Qatar.