A rebel coalition in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will withdraw its forces from the key city of Uvira. The announcement came on Tuesday from Corneille Nangaa, a leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC). This coalition includes the powerful M23 group.
The decision follows a request from United States mediators. It is intended as a “trust-building measure” to support peace talks. The rebels captured Uvira, a strategic city in South Kivu province, last week, threatening a recent US-brokered peace accord.
The capture of Uvira put the M23 rebels in a strong position. The city is located on Lake Tanganyika, near the border with Burundi. Its fall was a major blow to the Congolese army and allied Burundian troops.
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The offensive imperilled the Washington Accords, a peace deal signed on 4 December by DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the city’s capture was a “clear violation” of the accords. He promised action to ensure promises made to the US president were kept.
Residents of Uvira have reacted with a mix of hope and scepticism. While the news of a withdrawal is welcome, many remain cautious. Past withdrawals have sometimes been followed by renewed conflict.
The immediate concern for the population is a return to peace and stability. The occupation has disrupted daily life, closing markets and schools. The M23 rebels have not given a specific timeline for their withdrawal. They have called for a “neutral force” to be deployed. This force would monitor a ceasefire and protect civilians. The rebels also stated they captured hundreds of Burundian soldiers during the recent offensive.
The conflict in eastern DRC has created a severe humanitarian crisis. The United Nations reports that the latest fighting has displaced about 200,000 people. At least 74 people have been killed. The region has been in conflict for over 30 years. The country holds an estimated $25 trillion in reserves, including critical minerals like cobalt and copper.
Image: AFP via Getty Images.
