DRC rebels announce conditional withdrawal from Uvira amid peace pressure.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the rebel coalition Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) has announced a conditional withdrawal of its fighters from the strategic city of Uvira in South Kivu province.
Rebels from the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) have announced a conditional withdrawal from the strategic city of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raising cautious hopes of de-escalation amid mounting international pressure to revive peace efforts. In a statement released on social media, the group described the move as a confidence-building measure aimed at supporting ongoing negotiations under the Doha peace framework, following weeks of intense fighting in South Kivu province. Uvira had recently fallen to M23 forces, a development that heightened tensions and undermined a U.S.-mediated peace agreement signed earlier this month by the presidents of the DRC and Rwanda.
The renewed violence displaced civilians and drew strong reactions from regional and global partners calling for restraint and dialogue. While the announcement of a conditional pullback signals a possible opening for talks, analysts warn that the situation remains fragile, noting that past ceasefire efforts have often collapsed and that lasting peace will depend on sustained negotiations, concrete actions on the ground, and accountability from all sides.
