Rebels Agree to Withdraw from Uvira, DR Congo at US Request

Wed Dec 17 2025 01:21:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a surprising turn of events, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) announces their intention to withdraw troops from Uvira, a strategically important city, following a request from the United States. This move is seen as an effort to foster peace amidst ongoing conflict in the region.

The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) has declared plans to withdraw its forces from the city of Uvira, Democratic Republic of Congo, at the request of the United States. Rebel leader Corneille Nangaa stated that this decision serves as a trust-building measure and aims to support the peace process following alleged backing from Rwanda. The withdrawal comes amid significant humanitarian concerns, with thousands displaced due to the recent violence.

A rebel leader in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo says his fighters will withdraw from a key city at the request of the US.

Corneille Nangaa's statement came days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the capture of Uvira by rebel forces violated a peace deal, and the US would 'take action to ensure promises made to the President [Donald Trump] are kept'.

Nangaa said that rebel forces would pull out of the city as a 'trust-building measure'.

The US accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels. Rwanda denies the allegation, but its President, Paul Kagame, signed a peace accord on 4 December with his DR Congo counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi, at a ceremony in Washington hosted by Trump.

The US president hailed the deal as 'historic' and 'a great day for Africa'.

The rebels were not signatories to it - and have been taking part in a parallel peace process led by Qatar, a US ally that has strong ties with Rwanda.

Nangaa is the coordinator of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a coalition of rebel groups. It includes the M23, which is viewed as the most powerful force allegedly backed by Rwanda.

The M23's capture of Uvira was a major blow to the DR Congo's army, as the city is crucial for control over the region.

In a statement, Nangaa said they would unilaterally withdraw from Uvira as requested by the US mediation, and advocated for the deployment of a neutral force to monitor a ceasefire.

About 200,000 people have fled their homes since fighting escalated, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the region.