US Requests Rebel Withdrawal from Uvira in DR Congo

Wed Dec 17 2025 01:57:08 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant turn of events, rebel leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo announce plans to withdraw from the key city of Uvira at the request of the United States, amid ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises in the region.

A rebel leader in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed that his forces will evacuate Uvira, following a request from the United States. This decision comes after the US highlighted the rebels' recent capture of the city as a violation of peace agreements. The plan aims to support ongoing peace efforts led by Qatar and improve stability in the area, which has been plagued by conflict and displacement for over three decades.

A rebel leader in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has announced the intention to withdraw his fighters from the strategically important city of Uvira at the behest of the United States. Corneille Nangaa indicated that this move serves as a 'trust-building measure,' following the criticism from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the recent rebel seizure of the city, which he labeled as a breach of existing peace pacts.

In a statement, Nangaa emphasized the importance of facilitating a Qatar-mediated peace initiative, suggesting that the withdrawal would provide a greater chance for success in negotiations aimed at stabilizing the region.

The US administration, which believes that Rwanda is backing the rebel forces — an accusation that Rwanda has vehemently denied — has placed pressure on militia groups following a peace accord signed between Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and DR Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi earlier this month.

Nangaa's coalition, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes the M23 rebels, has gained substantial ground in recent months, including the capture of cities such as Goma and Bukavu. The M23's advances highlight the fragile situation in eastern DR Congo, where conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with approximately 200,000 people estimated to have fled their homes due to the violence.

Amid this turmoil, the Trump administration has expressed hopes that the peace process could lay the groundwork for increased investment from US companies in the resource-rich area, an ambition bolstered by the estimated $25 trillion in mineral reserves found in the DR Congo.

The call for a 'neutral force' to monitor the ceasefire and curb further aggressions reflects the complexities and ongoing instability in eastern DR Congo, a region long afflicted by conflict and power struggles.