The rebel group which last week seized the Democratic Republic of Congo city of Uvira say they have begun withdrawing, promising to complete the pullout on Thursday, following pressure from the US.
The M23 group captured the strategic city near the border with Burundi, days after a “historic” US-brokered peace deal between Congolese and Rwandan governments aimed at ending the long-running conflict in eastern DR Congo.
However, DR Congo’s government says the reported withdrawal is a “diversion” and needs verification.
On Thursday morning some Uvira residents told the BBC it was not clear if the M23 were leaving, with some of their trucks still moving around the city.
The capture of Uvira sparked US condemnation and warning of sanctions against Rwanda. The US accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, which it denies.
M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said on Wednesday that the withdrawal was “under way,” with spokesman Willy Ngoma adding that this was “for the sake of peace”.
In a post on X, Bisimwa urged mediators and international partners to ensure the city was protected from “reprisals, violence and remilitarisation”.
Rebels Start To Withdraw From Key DR Congo City, Leaders Say
The rebel group which last week seized the Democratic Republic of Congo city of Uvira say they have begun withdrawing, promising to complete the pullout on Thursday, following pressure from the US.
The M23 group captured the strategic city near the border with Burundi, days after a “historic” US-brokered peace deal between Congolese and Rwandan governments aimed at ending the long-running conflict in eastern DR Congo.
However, DR Congo’s government says the reported withdrawal is a “diversion” and needs verification.
On Thursday morning some Uvira residents told the BBC it was not clear if the M23 were leaving, with some of their trucks still moving around the city.
The capture of Uvira sparked US condemnation and warning of sanctions against Rwanda. The US accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, which it denies.
M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa said on Wednesday that the withdrawal was “under way,” with spokesman Willy Ngoma adding that this was “for the sake of peace”.
In a post on X, Bisimwa urged mediators and international partners to ensure the city was protected from “reprisals, violence and remilitarisation”.