The M23 rebel group has announced it will withdraw from the strategic town of Uvira in Eastern Congo.
This decision follows strong criticism from the United States regarding the group’s recent seizure of the area.
The rebels captured Uvira, a vital hub on the Burundi border, just last week. This aggression occurred shortly after the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. There, they committed to a new peace framework known as the Washington Accords.
Diplomatic Pressure Mounts
The seizure of Uvira triggered an immediate diplomatic backlash. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the action on Saturday. He stated that the offensive violated the newly signed accords and vowed to “take action” to ensure promises made to the President are kept.
Rwanda has consistently denied supporting the M23 insurgency. Instead, they blame Congolese and Burundian forces for the renewed violence. However, international monitors disagree. A United Nations Group of Experts report released in July concluded that Rwanda exercises command and control over the rebel forces.
A “Trust-Building” Measure
Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance insurgent coalition, announced the withdrawal on the social media platform X.
He described the retreat as a “unilateral trust-building measure.” The goal is to support the separate Doha peace process. Although M23 is not a direct party to the Washington-mediated talks, they have participated in parallel negotiations with the Congolese government hosted by Qatar.
According to a rebel source, the withdrawal plan includes:
- Rebel Retreat: M23 forces will pull back by 5 kilometers (3 miles).
- Military Retreat: A corresponding withdrawal by Congolese forces.
- Buffer Zone: The establishment of a neutral area between the two sides.
Government Response: No Compromise
Despite the rebel announcement, the Congolese military remains skeptical. General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for Congo’s army, emphasized that the government will not settle for a buffer zone.
“Uvira is a city in the DRC. We will do everything in our power to reclaim the city and secure it,” Ekenge stated on Tuesday.
Mixed Reactions on the Ground
The situation in Uvira is complex. On Tuesday, hundreds of residents marched in the streets. Surprisingly, the demonstration appeared to support the rebels. Organizers claimed the march was a gesture of gratitude to M23 for driving out government and allied forces.
“We are liberated after facing enormous harassment and trauma,” said organizer Freddy Mutupeke. He referred to the insurgents as a “revolutionary army.”
Background of the Crisis
The M23 group launched a lightning offensive in January. They seized two of eastern Congo’s largest cities during fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Since then, the insurgents have attempted to establish a parallel administration in the resource-rich east. This has raised fears that the vast Central African nation could face a permanent fracture.
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