Goma Residents Protest AFC/M23 Withdrawal from Uvira, Demand Lasting Peace

Goma, December 13, 2025 - Residents of Goma and surrounding areas in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) staged protests on the morning of December 22, 2025, in response to the recent withdrawal of AFC/M23 fighters from Uvira. The demonstrators carried messages calling for lasting peace and expressing opposition to the return of government and allied forces to the city.

“Residents of Goma and neighboring areas, we refuse to withdraw from Uvira to AFC/M23. We refuse to allow FARDC, Wazalendo, Burundian troops and mercenaries to return to Uvira.”

The protesters voiced frustration over the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC and urged immediate dialogue to resolve the fighting.

The demonstrations followed the AFC/M23 withdrawal from Uvira on December 17-18, after the group had controlled the city for a week. The withdrawal was reportedly made at the request of the United States as a confidence-building measure ahead of continuing peace negotiations with the DRC government.

AFC/M23 has publicly stated that it does not want DRC, Burundian, Wazalendo, or FDLR forces to return to Uvira, urging the United States and other international partners to establish security guarantees for the civilian population. The group emphasized that neutral or non-military control of Uvira would allow residents to resume daily life safely, without fear of abuses experienced under previous government operations.

The US Special Representative for Political Affairs at the United Nations, Ambassador Jennifer Locetta, indicated that AFC/M23’s request could be feasible if the group relocates to areas within 75 kilometers of Uvira, enabling them to return later to areas previously held before the fighting in early December, including the Kamanyola center.