In brief
The M23 rebels, who recently captured Uvira city, have announced their withdrawal, promising to complete it by Thursday, following US pressure. While the rebels claim to be leaving for peace, local residents and DR Congo officials express skepticism, calling for verification of the situation amidst ongoing tensions with Rwanda, which is accused of supporting the M23.
The M23 rebel group has begun its withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of Congo's Uvira city, which was seized last week in a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo. The group, claiming to be taking this action for the sake of peace, faces skepticism from the Congolese government and local residents, who doubt the reality of the withdrawal.Following the historic US-brokered peace deal between Congo and Rwanda aimed at ending this long-running violence, the rebels captured Uvira, a strategic town near the border with Burundi. Reports suggest that while the M23 promises full withdrawal by Thursday, local accounts indicate that M23 trucks are still active in the city, raising questions about their intentions.The DR Congo government, represented by spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, has described the rebel's withdrawal announcement as a potential diversion intended to distract American mediators as they prepare to impose measures against Rwanda, which the US accuses of backing the M23 rebels.With the offensive leading to dozens of casualties and significant displacement, verification of the situation remains crucial, especially as the peace process continues to unfold. The M23's leader, Bertrand Bisimwa, has called for the protection of Uvira from potential reprisals, emphasizing the need for international community involvement to prevent further violence.
