DR Congo Calls M23’s Withdrawal Promise in Uvira a ‘Distraction’DATELINE KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — December 17, 2025 LEAD PARAGRAPH The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government has dismissed the M23 armed group’s promise to withdraw from the town of Uvira as a “distraction, “as the militia continues to station fighters in the strategically important location.
The statement comes amidst tensions following the seizure of Uvira and the collapse of a recently brokered peace agreement between Kinshasa and Kigali. BODY.
The DRC government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, characterized the M23’s pledge as a “non-event, a diversion, a distraction, “suggesting the group’s intentions were to evade accountability rather than commit to peace efforts. Muyaya implied that the group’s actions were aimed at protecting its Rwandan backers, stating, “The son, M23, offers itself in sacrifice before the US mediator to protect the father, Rwanda. ” The seizure of Uvira, a town in South Kivu province, threatened a fragile peace agreement signed between the DRC and Rwanda just days prior.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded by accusing Rwanda, which denies supporting M23, of violating the agreement. Rubio promised that Washington would take action to ensure promises made to the DRC president were kept. Despite the Alliance Fleuve Congo rebel coalition’s leader, Corneille Nangaa, announcing a planned withdrawal from Uvira, M23 fighters remained present, citing conditions for any withdrawal.
M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma told Reuters that the group was “ready to leave, but our conditions have to be reviewed, “including the deployment of a neutral force to maintain security in the town. Governor Jean Jacques Purusi of South Kivu province expressed that M23 fighters were reluctant to leave.
Meanwhile, daily life in Uvira is slowly returning to normal, with markets reopening and traffic resuming.
However, residents remain concerned about the ongoing political instability. DRC’s army spokesperson, Sylvain Ekenge, reported daily fighting across the conflict-hit east, where M23 has made significant advances this year. ENDING.
The situation in Uvira remains tense as the M23’s withdrawal promise is viewed as a tactic to distract from accountability.
The future of the peace agreement and the stability of the region hang in the balance. Further details are expected as the situation develops.
