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Kagame Faces the Cold Wrath of the United States (Radio Okapi)
Rwanda-backed M23’s withdrawal from Uvira triggers skepticism in Kinshasa and global scrutiny. Officials demand full, verifiable troop exit.
12/18/25, 4:09 PM
KINSHASA – December 18, 2025 | The withdrawal of the Rwanda-backed AFC-M23 rebel forces from the city of Uvira is generating a wave of reactions across Congolese media reviewed by Radio Okapi and government circles. Many observers see the move not as a concession from strength, but as a strategic retreat under U.S. pressure, signaling a new phase of international scrutiny directed at Paul Kagame’s regime in Rwanda.
A Withdrawal After the Damage Was Done
Online outlets like CongoNews were quick to interpret the M23 exit as a delayed maneuver to soften the diplomatic fallout caused by the offensive.
The belated withdrawal of rebel elements from Uvira, while it may be presented as a gesture of appeasement, comes after the diplomatic damage has already been done. In the eyes of Washington, certain red lines have been crossed,” wrote CongoNews, which goes further to suggest this may mark “the end of a political cycle for Kigali.”
Indeed, what was intended as a show of force may have backfired. Public mockery in Kigali of U.S. sanctions, some aired through state-linked channels and speeches, has reportedly been interpreted in Washington as a direct affront to American authority and diplomatic mediation.
Rwanda Trapped in Its Own Game
In a biting analysis, Le Tabloid notes the “diplomatic trap” Kigali now finds itself in:
Any military advance by its armed allies reinforces international isolation, while any withdrawal exposes the fragility of their hold without external support.”
This geopolitical stalemate highlights Rwanda’s shrinking room for maneuver; every move now draws a global reaction, particularly from Washington, which has increasingly framed M23 actions as violations of the Washington Accords signed earlier this year.
Skepticism in Kinshasa: “Who Can Verify This?”
While some media reported visible rebel columns leaving Uvira's city center, Congolese officials are far from convinced. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, responding on X, voiced strong skepticism over M23’s motives:
Who can verify this? Where are they going? How many were there? What are they leaving behind in the city? Mass graves? Soldiers disguised as civilians? What credibility should be given to this unilateral maneuver by the son (M23) to save the father (Rwanda)?
We await the effective withdrawal of Rwandan troops from all occupied parts of our territory. Muyaya asked, warning of M23 soldiers disguising themselves as civilians to evade detection.
This concern is echoed by Actualités.cd, which stresses that the Congolese government has not validated the withdrawal, viewing it instead as part of a long-standing strategy of manipulation and deflection by M23 and its Rwandan backers.
Tanganyika Takes No Chances: Patrols and Closures
Adding to the tension, the governor of Tanganyika province has ordered emergency security measures, including:
Intensified combat patrols by the FARDC
Suspension of travel between South Kivu and Tanganyika, including all boat transport across Lake Tanganyika
Closure of Kanunka airfield (36 km from Manono-centre)
Closure of Kisengo airfield in Nyunzu territory
These decisions, confirmed by the Extraordinary Provincial Security Council, underscore the fragile nature of the current military balance and the real fear of infiltration or renewed clashes.
⚠️This review is based on the Original report made by Radio Okapi
What Comes Next?
Despite M23’s statements about giving peace talks “a chance,” doubts persist over the sincerity of Kigali’s approach. In Kinshasa, officials insist that only a complete and verifiable withdrawal, including a dismantling of rebel infrastructure and regional guarantees, can restore trust.
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