M23 Still in Uvira Despite Pledge to Withdraw – Reuters

KINSHASA — Rwanda-backed M23 rebels remain present in the eastern Congolese town of Uvira despite a public commitment earlier this week to withdraw, residents and local officials said on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

The armed group had announced on Monday that it would pull its fighters back as a confidence-building step to support peace efforts led by the United States and Qatar in the long-running conflict between the rebels and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s armed forces.

However, residents told Reuters that M23 fighters were still visible across Uvira, including near government buildings, major road junctions, and the port area. A Reuters witness also reported no observable change on the ground following the withdrawal announcement.

M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma said the group was prepared to leave the town but added that conditions attached to the withdrawal needed further review. “We are ready to leave (Uvira), but our conditions have to be reviewed,” Ngoma told Reuters, adding that Uvira should be secured by a neutral force to protect civilians.

The rebels entered Uvira earlier this month, close to the border with Burundi, less than a week after the presidents of Congo and Rwanda met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington to reaffirm their commitment to the Washington Accords peace agreement. The United States later criticised the seizure of the town, warning it could undermine mediation efforts.

Congolese authorities dismissed the withdrawal pledge as insincere. Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya described the announcement as a “diversion,” alleging it was intended to ease international pressure on Rwanda, which Kinshasa, the United Nations, and Western governments accuse of backing M23 — a charge Kigali denies.

“The intention is to distract the American mediation team, which is preparing to take measures against Rwanda,” Muyaya told Reuters.

South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi also said rebel fighters had not left the town. “The rebels… do not want to leave,” he told Reuters, adding that they were present across Uvira’s neighbourhoods.

Congo’s army spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge said clashes continued daily in eastern Congo, particularly in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, where M23 has made rapid territorial gains this year.

Rwanda has acknowledged deploying troops in eastern Congo but says the forces are acting defensively. It denies supporting M23 and has accused Congolese and Burundian forces of escalating the conflict.