Why Kinshasa Rejects Claims of an M23 “Withdrawal” from Uvira

The Congolese government has dismissed reports claiming that M23 fighters are withdrawing from Uvira, calling the announcements misleading, tactical, and disconnected from realities on the ground.

Speaking on the situation, Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya was categorical: M23 and its backers should never have been in Uvira in the first place. For Kinshasa, any talk of withdrawal loses meaning when it refers to a presence that was illegal from the outset.

Muyaya warned that the government is fully familiar with what he described as well-rehearsed disinformation tactics. According to him, staged withdrawals, selective images, or media-oriented announcements are often used to simulate compliance while maintaining control through infiltrated elements left behind in occupied areas. In his words, “What is a withdrawal without a real departure worth?”

The minister directly addressed the narrative repeatedly used to justify the attack on Uvira — the alleged “protection of the Banyamulenge community.” He rejected this argument as a false pretext, noting that it has been echoed consistently by Rwanda and M23 in international forums. Muyaya warned that this same narrative could now be recycled by leaving behind agents tasked with targeting Banyamulenge civilians in order to fabricate fresh incidents and shift blame.

For Kinshasa, a withdrawal will only be considered real when state authority is fully restored, including the return of civil administration, security services, and the protection of all communities without distinction. The government insists that its responsibility is not selective — the Congolese state is committed to ensuring the safety of every citizen, including the Banyamulenge population.

Muyaya also revealed that behind the public claims of withdrawal lies another reality: systematic looting. According to Congolese authorities, armed groups have not only exploited mines, but have also stolen public infrastructure materials, household goods, livestock, vehicles, and even road construction tar. He described a pattern seen in Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira, where armed groups leave behind destruction while transporting stolen resources across borders.

Despite these tactics, the government says it remains vigilant on all fronts — military, diplomatic, and judicial. Muyaya stressed that while peace processes continue, justice cannot be avoided indefinitely. For Kinshasa, accountability will eventually be required for what it describes as occupation, plunder, and violence against civilians.

In conclusion, the government’s message is firm: media announcements do not replace facts on the ground. Any genuine de-escalation must be measured not by statements, but by verifiable withdrawal, restored state authority, and lasting security for civilians.