Residents of the city of Goma and surrounding areas in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) took to the streets on December 22, 2025, to protest the withdrawal of AFC/M23 fighters from the city of Uvira. The demonstrations, held in the morning, drew large crowds of residents carrying messages that reflected their demand for lasting peace in the eastern part of the country. Some placards read: “Residents of Goma and neighboring areas reject the withdrawal from Uvira in favor of AFC/M23. We also reject the return to Uvira of the FARDC, Wazalendo, Burundian troops, and mercenaries.”

Residents of the city of Goma and surrounding areas in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) took to the streets on December 22, 2025, to protest the withdrawal of AFC/M23 fighters from the city of Uvira. The demonstrations, held in the morning, drew large crowds of residents carrying messages that reflected their demand for lasting peace in the eastern part of the country. Some placards read: “Residents of Goma and neighboring areas reject the withdrawal from Uvira in favor of AFC/M23. We also reject the return to Uvira of the FARDC, Wazalendo, Burundian troops, and mercenaries.” Protesters said they are tired of prolonged conflict and called for urgent dialogue to address insecurity and end violence in eastern DRC. On December 17 and 18, AFC/M23 fighters withdrew from Uvira after spending a week in the city. The coalition said the move was made at the request of the United States as a confidence-building measure with the Congolese government amid ongoing peace talks. AFC/M23 has stated that it opposes the return of Congolese government forces, Burundian troops, Wazalendo fighters, and the FDLR armed group to Uvira. The group has urged the United States and other mediators to put in place credible security mechanisms to protect civilians. The coalition is calling for Uvira to be declared a demilitarized zone or to be secured by neutral forces not aligned with any party to the conflict. It argues that such an arrangement would allow civilians to resume normal activities without fear, unlike previous periods marked by abuses allegedly committed by government forces. Last week, the U.S. Special Envoy for Political Affairs to the United Nations, Ambassador Jennifer Locetta, said the AFC/M23 proposal could be considered if the group redeployed to areas about 75 kilometers away from Uvira. If the coalition complies with this request, it could return to areas it controlled before fighting resumed in early December 2025, including the Kamanyola area.

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