AFC/M23 announces withdrawal from Uvira

The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) has announced that it will withdraw its forces from the city of Uvira in South Kivu Province , describing the move as a confidence-building step to support ongoing peace efforts. In a statement released on December 15, 2025, and signed by its coordinator, Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, the alliance said the decision follows progress made during the Doha peace talks, particularly the signing of the Doha Principles on November 15, 2025. According to the statement, the withdrawal was agreed upon at the request of mediators led by the United States, as part of effo

The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) has announced that it will withdraw its forces from the city of Uvira in South Kivu Province, describing the move as a confidence-building step to support ongoing peace efforts. In a statement released on December 15, 2025, and signed by its coordinator, Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, the alliance said the decision follows progress made during the Doha peace talks, particularly the signing of the Doha Principles on November 15, 2025. According to the statement, the withdrawal was agreed upon at the request of mediators led by the United States, as part of efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. AFC/M23 said that despite what it described as continued provocations and ceasefire violations by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and their allies, it chose to leave Uvira to create more space for dialogue and to demonstrate its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the crisis. However, the group expressed concern based on previous experiences. It said earlier confidence-building measures were undermined when FARDC, Wazalendo militias, and their partners reoccupied areas that had been vacated and carried out attacks against civilians accused of supporting AFC/M23. As a result, the alliance called on mediators to establish clear security arrangements for Uvira following its withdrawal. These measures, the statement said, should include the disarmament of armed groups in the city, protection of civilians and key infrastructure, and effective monitoring of the ceasefire through the deployment of neutral forces. While AFC/M23 said the withdrawal is intended to reduce tensions, it noted that the security situation in Uvira will depend on how these measures are implemented and on the overall progress of the peace talks.