M23 Announces Withdrawal from Uvira, Government Calls it ‘Unreliable’

Uvira (South Kivu), – The rebel group M23 announced on Monday that they would fully withdraw from the strategic city of Uvira in South Kivu province. However, the Congolese government has dismissed this announcement as ‘meaningless’ and a ‘disinformation tactic’.

M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka stated in a release that the group has taken a “difficult decision” to transfer the city of Uvira “under the full and entire responsibility of the United Nations and the international community.” He said this step was taken to give regional peace efforts an opportunity.

However, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya expressed strong objection to this claim, saying, “Talk of withdrawal without departure is empty. They could secretly station fighters.” He emphasized, “No withdrawal will be recognized until state authority and services are fully restored.”

The city of Uvira, located near Lake Tanganyika and the Burundi border, had served as the provisional administrative center for South Kivu after the provincial capital, Bukavu, fell to M23 in February of last year.

Despite this announcement, clashes have continued in recent days on various fronts around Uvira, highlighting the persistent instability in eastern Congo.

M23 claimed on Thursday that it had requested MONUSCO (UN Mission in Congo) to protect civilians in Uvira in line with its mandate, but the mission has not yet responded.

Eastern Congo has endured decades of armed conflict, a situation further worsened by the resurgence of M23 since 2021. When this ‘withdrawal’ declared for the peace process will take a real form remains to be seen.