DRC: US 'not satisfied' that M23 rebels have fully withdrawn from Uvira
US Response to M23 Withdrawal from Uvira, Eastern Congo
US Response to M23 Withdrawal from Uvira, Eastern Congo
The US government has expressed dissatisfaction with the withdrawal of the Rwanda-backed M23 group from Uvira, a critical town in eastern Congo, as clashes continue nearby.
M23 took control of Uvira on December 10, following a meeting between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and the then US President Donald Trump in Washington. This event marked a significant advance for the rebels, raising concerns of potential regional conflict escalation.
According to a senior US official, despite M23's commitment to withdraw for peace negotiations, the US remains unconvinced of a complete withdrawal from Uvira. Reports indicate that some M23 members continue to operate in Uvira, now in police uniforms, and sporadic gunfire persists in the area.
M23 took control of Uvira on December 10, following a meeting between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and the then US President Donald Trump in Washington.
Both M23 and the Congolese army have accused each other of instigating recent violence. Rwanda, denying support for M23, attributes the renewed conflict to Congolese and Burundian forces. A United Nations report in July suggested Rwanda's involvement in commanding M23.
M23 is not directly involved in the Washington-mediated peace talks but is engaged in separate negotiations with Kinshasa in Qatar.
The conflict has resulted in over 84,000 refugees fleeing to Burundi this month, exceeding the country's capacity, as reported by the UN refugee agency. Additionally, around 500,000 individuals have been displaced in South Kivu province since early December. In response, the World Food Programme is increasing aid to support 210,000 vulnerable people.
The M23's rapid advances in North and South Kivu have negatively impacted the Democratic Republic of Congo's economy, reducing GDP by 0.4 percent. Exceptional security expenditures are nearing $3 billion, as stated by IMF mission chief Calixte Ahokpossi. Persistent insecurity could lead to further economic and social challenges for the country.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
