Fighters from the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) have begun withdrawing from the city of Uvira in South Kivu Province, as previously announced. The information was made public by Bertrand Bisimwa, the AFC/M23 Coordinator in charge of legal, political, and diplomatic affairs, on the night of Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Writing on X, Bisimwa stated that AFC/M23 forces are leaving the city in an operation expected to be completed on Thursday. “We call on the civilian population to remain calm. We urge the mediators and other partners to ensure that Uvira is protected from violence, retaliat

Fighters from the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) have begun withdrawing from the city of Uvira in South Kivu Province, as previously announced. The information was made public by Bertrand Bisimwa, the AFC/M23 Coordinator in charge of legal, political, and diplomatic affairs, on the night of Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Writing on X, Bisimwa stated that AFC/M23 forces are leaving the city in an operation expected to be completed on Thursday. “We call on the civilian population to remain calm. We urge the mediators and other partners to ensure that Uvira is protected from violence, retaliation, and re-militarization,” he wrote. Videos circulating on social media show AFC/M23 soldiers and vehicles departing the city, with residents’ voices heard bidding farewell to the fighters. On December 15, 2025, AFC/M23 announced its decision to withdraw from Uvira, which it had controlled for only a few days. In an official statement, the group said the decision was based on progress made in the Doha talks, particularly the signing of the Doha Principles on November 15, 2025. The withdrawal was also carried out at the request of the mediator, the United States of America. AFC/M23 further stated that it remains concerned about violence allegedly committed by the FARDC, Wazalendo militias, and their allies. As a result, the group said mediators must establish clear measures to ensure security in Uvira following its withdrawal. These measures should include the demilitarization of the city, the protection of civilians and key infrastructure, and the monitoring of the ceasefire through the deployment of neutral forces. It remains unclear whether foreign troops will be deployed to the city, located on the border between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo or whether control will revert to the FARDC and coalition forces.

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