Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi said Sunday that M23 rebels have not withdrawn from the strategic border city of Uvira, contrary to their claims. The Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23, announced last week it began pulling forces from Uvira in response to a U.S.-mediated peace request.
Speaking via videoconference at a summit convened by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Tshisekedi said the claimed withdrawal does not match reality on the ground.
“Our information shows armed elements remain in the city, strategic positions are still occupied, and civilians continue to face abuses,” Tshisekedi told leaders.
He stressed that withdrawals must be verified and followed by restoration of government authority to be credible in any peace process. President Museveni said on social media platform X that discussions showed strong regional commitment to lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.
Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Mulimba said Kenyan and Zimbabwean presidents will lead implementation of existing peace initiatives through regional mechanisms.
Mulimba called for neutral verification by a regional force to confirm claims by both the M23 rebels and the Congolese government regarding Uvira. The fighting in Uvira, which the M23 seized on Dec. 10 after a week of clashes, has displaced over 200,000 people in the humanitarian crisis.
Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame signed a peace agreement on Dec. 4 aimed at ending violence in eastern Congo, amid mutual accusations over recent clashes.
M23 controls key eastern cities, including Goma and Bukavu, and is accused by the UN and Kinshasa of receiving support from Rwanda, which Kigali denies.