AFC/M23 Appeals to the UN and Places the City of Uvira Under the “Full and Complete”

Uvira DRC, January 16, 2026 -The AFC/M23 rebellion, which controls large areas of North Kivu and South Kivu, announced that it has placed the strategic city of Uvira under the responsibility of the international community. In a letter dated Thursday, January 15, 2026, to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the group’s political coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, said the move follows the rebels’ withdrawal decision announced on December 15, 2025, recently reaffirmed, and their stated commitment to the ceasefire. The Rwandan-backed movement said it is immediately withdrawing its “observation and monitoring unit” and declining all responsibility for security in the city. “With immediate effect, our organization is withdrawing its observation and monitoring unit, which was preparing the transfer of the city to the neutral force, and is declining all responsibility for the security of this important city in South Kivu province. It is now incumbent upon the international community, within the framework of its responsibilities and commitments, to ensure the protection of civilian populations, the maintenance of peace, and the security of all the inhabitants of Uvira, without discrimination,” wrote Corneille Nangaa. In the same letter, he warned against threats posed by actors not party to the peace agreements, including the Burundian army, the FDLR, the Wazalendo militias, and mercenaries supporting the FARDC, saying their presence could plunge Uvira into chaos and undermine regional peace efforts led by the African Union, Qatar, the United States, and other partners. “We solemnly draw the international community’s attention to the fact that the Burundian army, the FDLR, the so-called Wazalendo armed groups, and the mercenaries supporting the FARDC pose a clear threat to the city of Uvira. These armed actors are not party to any commitments arising from a peace process. Therefore, their presence and activities represent a direct and immediate threat not only to the civilian population, but also to the ongoing peace process and to regional stability as a whole,” he stated. He added: “In this worrying context, it is essential that the international community fully assume its responsibilities and ensure the rapid deployment of a truly neutral force in the city of Uvira, in order to prevent it from descending once again into chaos, devastation, and violence. This initiative demonstrates our firm commitment to protecting civilians, consolidating the ceasefire, and creating the conditions for a lasting peace based on dialogue, respect for international commitments, and the principles of international humanitarian law.” This initiative comes at a time when, despite the involvement of US President Donald Trump and the apparent acceleration of the Washington process, illustrated by the ratification of agreements by Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, the situation on the ground remains fragile. Kinshasa and Kigali continue to struggle to align positions, amid persistent tensions and mutual accusations of failing to uphold commitments made within ongoing diplomatic initiatives. The same challenges affect the Doha talks, conducted under the auspices of the Emir of Qatar between Kinshasa and the Rwandan-backed AFC/M23, which have yet to yield tangible results on the ground. These negotiations, intended to complement the Washington agreements by addressing root causes such as the restoration of state authority and the reintegration of armed groups, remain stalled. Several agreed measures - including the joint communiqué, the ceasefire mechanism, the declaration of principles, and the framework agreement - have yet to be implemented. This diplomatic inertia has fueled the continuation of violent clashes between the AFC/M23 and government forces. In addition, the national dialogue called for by several socio-political actors to support these initiatives has not yet been convened. After announcing its withdrawal from mediation in March 2025, Angola is gradually and discreetly reintegrating into the process. Luanda has relaunched broad consultations, increasing contacts with nearly all stakeholders. Meanwhile, Togo plans to host a high-level meeting on Saturday, January 17, 2026, aimed at strengthening the coherence and consolidation of peace initiatives in the DRC and the Great Lakes region. It is in this context that João Lourenço, President of Angola and current Chairperson of the African Union, received representatives of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) in Luanda. Discussions focused on the need to establish an inclusive national dialogue, bringing together all Congolese stakeholders to achieve lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Participants agreed that this process should be launched without delay. These consultations form part of broader diplomatic efforts to end the armed conflict in eastern DRC, marked by continued fighting between government forces and the Rwandan-backed AFC/M23, according to the United Nations.

Faits rapportés

Uvira DRC, January 16, 2026 -The AFC/M23 rebellion, which controls large areas of North Kivu and South Kivu, announced that it has placed the strategic city of Uvira under the responsibility of the international community. In a letter dated Thursday, January 15, 2026, to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the group’s political coordinator, Corneille Nangaa, said the move follows the rebels’ withdrawal decision announced on December 15, 2025, recently reaffirmed, and their stated commitment to the ceasefire. The Rwandan-backed movement said it is immediately withdrawing its “observation and monitoring unit” and declining all responsibility for security in the city. “With immediate effect, our organization is withdrawing its observation and monitoring unit, which was preparing the transfer of the city to the neutral force, and is declining all responsibility for the security of this important city in South Kivu province. It is now incumbent upon the international community, within the framework of its responsibilities and commitments, to ensure the protection of civilian populations, the maintenance of peace, and the security of all the inhabitants of Uvira, without discrimination,” wrote Corneille Nangaa. In the same letter, he warned against threats posed by actors not party to the peace agreements, including the Burundian army, the FDLR, the Wazalendo militias, and mercenaries supporting the FARDC, saying their presence could plunge Uvira into chaos and undermine regional peace efforts led by the African Union, Qatar, the United States, and other partners. “We solemnly draw the international community’s attention to the fact that the Burundian army, the FDLR, the so-called Wazalendo armed groups, and the mercenaries supporting the FARDC pose a clear threat to the city of Uvira. These armed actors are not party to any commitments arising from a peace process. Therefore, their presence and activities represent a direct and immediate threat not only to the civilian population, but also to the ongoing peace process and to regional stability as a whole,” he stated. He added: “In this worrying context, it is essential that the international community fully assume its responsibilities and ensure the rapid deployment of a truly neutral force in the city of Uvira, in order to prevent it from descending once again into chaos, devastation, and violence. This initiative demonstrates our firm commitment to protecting civilians, consolidating the ceasefire, and creating the conditions for a lasting peace based on dialogue, respect for international commitments, and the principles of international humanitarian law.” This initiative comes at a time when, despite the involvement of US President Donald Trump and the apparent acceleration of the Washington process, illustrated by the ratification of agreements by Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, the situation on the ground remains fragile. Kinshasa and Kigali continue to struggle to align positions, amid persistent tensions and mutual accusations of failing to uphold commitments made within ongoing diplomatic initiatives. The same challenges affect the Doha talks, conducted under the auspices of the Emir of Qatar between Kinshasa and the Rwandan-backed AFC/M23, which have yet to yield tangible results on the ground. These negotiations, intended to complement the Washington agreements by addressing root causes such as the restoration of state authority and the reintegration of armed groups, remain stalled. Several agreed measures - including the joint communiqué, the ceasefire mechanism, the declaration of principles, and the framework agreement - have yet to be implemented. This diplomatic inertia has fueled the continuation of violent clashes between the AFC/M23 and government forces. In addition, the national dialogue called for by several socio-political actors to support these initiatives has not yet been convened. After announcing its withdrawal from mediation in March 2025, Angola is gradually and discreetly reintegrating into the process. Luanda has relaunched broad consultations, increasing contacts with nearly all stakeholders. Meanwhile, Togo plans to host a high-level meeting on Saturday, January 17, 2026, aimed at strengthening the coherence and consolidation of peace initiatives in the DRC and the Great Lakes region. It is in this context that João Lourenço, President of Angola and current Chairperson of the African Union, received representatives of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) in Luanda. Discussions focused on the need to establish an inclusive national dialogue, bringing together all Congolese stakeholders to achieve lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Participants agreed that this process should be launched without delay. These consultations form part of broader diplomatic efforts to end the armed conflict in eastern DRC, marked by continued fighting between government forces and the Rwandan-backed AFC/M23, according to the United Nations.