The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23), under the leadership of Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, has announced a unilateral decision to withdraw its forces from the city of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), describing the move as a trust-building measure aimed at advancing ongoing peace efforts under international mediation.

In a statement dated November 15, 2025, the group said the decision follows “significant progress” achieved through the Doha Peace Process, including the signing of the Doha Framework Agreement on the same day.

The Alliance said it was acting despite what it termed “continued provocations and abuses from the FARDC and its allies.”

“The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) wishes to refer to the Doha Peace Process under which significant progress was recently achieved, including the signing of the Doha Framework Agreement of November 15th, 2025,” the statement reads.

The group said the withdrawal is intended to give the peace process “the maximum chance to succeed in providing lasting solutions to the conflict,” stressing that the step is unilateral and based on a request made through United States mediation.

“In light of these achievements, and despite the continued provocations and abuses from the FARDC and its allies, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) has decided to initiate a unilateral trust-building measure,” it added.

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Withdrawal from Uvira

AFC/M23 confirmed that it will pull out of Uvira, a strategic city in South Kivu province that has seen repeated clashes between armed groups and government forces.

“AFC/M23 will unilaterally withdraw its forces from the city of Uvira as requested by the United States mediation,” the statement said.

The group, however, warned that past withdrawals had been exploited by its rivals.

It cited previous experiences in which Congolese government forces (FARDC), Wazalendo militias and allied groups allegedly moved into vacated areas, retook territory and targeted civilians perceived to be sympathetic to the Alliance.

“Based on past experiences where FARDC, Wazalendo and their allies have sought to take advantage of AFC/M23’s trust-building measures,” the group said it was necessary to put safeguards in place before and after the withdrawal.

Call for Demilitarisation and Protection

The Alliance called on the guarantors of the Doha Peace Process to establish “adequate measures” for the management of Uvira once its forces leave.

According to the statement, such measures are essential to prevent renewed violence and to protect civilians, many of whom have borne the brunt of repeated fighting in eastern DRC.

According to Alliance Fleuve Congo, they reiterated that the measures include “the demilitarization of the city, the protection of its population and infrastructure, and the monitoring of the ceasefire through the deployment of a neutral force.”

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Regional Security Concerns

AFC/M23 also addressed the presence of other armed groups operating in the DRC, particularly those hostile to the governments of Congo or Burundi.

It said it would not tolerate such groups using areas previously under its control as staging grounds for cross-border attacks.

“Finally, concerning armed groups hostile to the Government or Burundi that remain active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo said through the statement, adding that, “the AFC/M23 reiterates that it will not allow such groups to use liberated areas as rear bases for any hostile acts.”

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Press Statement by Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) Announcing a Unilateral Decision to Withdraw its Forces from the City of Uvira in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). PHOTO/ Alliance Fleuve Congo