Nangaa Warns DRC Forces Against Violence in Uvira

Uvira, January 28, 2026 - AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa has warned the DRC government-backed military alliance that if violence continues in Uvira, his fighters will take responsibility for protecting civilians. Nangaa said that AFC/M23 voluntarily withdrew from Uvira at the request of the United States to allow peace talks to continue. He noted that similar withdrawals had previously occurred in Bunagana, Masisi, and Walikale. “This is not the first time we have done this… In Walikale, we left so that the Doha talks could take place. Now, too, we have been asked to leave Uvira,” he said. Before leaving the city, Nangaa warned the international community that civilians could be killed, accused of collaborating with AFC/M23, and that Banyamulenge communities in South Kivu Province could be targeted. He said that requests for neutral forces to protect civilians were not respected. He added that following their withdrawal, there were lootings, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and targeted attacks, particularly against the Banyamulenge, with about 900 families displaced to areas such as Luvungi, Sange, and especially Kamanyola. Nangaa stated that AFC/M23 had learned it could reclaim territory quickly if necessary. He accused DRC soldiers of criminal behavior and warned: “If they continue, we will take responsibility for rescuing the population.” This warning comes amid discussions in Kinshasa about launching a rapid campaign to retake areas controlled by AFC/M23, after government forces cleared the group from Uvira on January 17, 2026.