Wazalendo Takes Control of Uvira After M23 Withdrawal

Uvira, January 18, 2026 - Wazalendo fighters have begun taking control of Uvira town following the withdrawal of the AFC/M23 in compliance with ongoing peace talks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Residents confirmed that Wazalendo forces entered the town on Sunday morning, a day after AFC/M23 announced it had fully withdrawn. Videos circulating online show fighters abusing civilians and looting property. A former South Kivu commander, now based in Kalemie, confirmed the return of Wazalendo fighters, saying they were awaiting instructions from their superiors. “We must be very careful. Our leaders must first verify that what M23 is saying is true,” he said. Despite their presence, AFC/M23 stated that it had left Uvira under the responsibility of the international community, urging it to ensure the safety of residents. In a letter dated January 15, 2026, AFC/M23 informed the United Nations Secretary-General that it had requested MONUSCO to protect the city’s population. “Our organization, AFC/M23, has decided to place the city of Uvira under the full responsibility of the international community,” said Corneille Nangaa, leader of the group. He added that a small AFC/M23 monitoring unit had remained temporarily in the town while awaiting the deployment of neutral forces, but that this unit also withdrew on January 15. AFC/M23 warned the UN that the Burundian army, the FDLR terrorist group, Wazalendo groups, and the Cancuro pose serious security threats to Uvira’s residents. “Their presence and activities not only threaten the security of civilians, but also the peace process and the security of the region,” the group said. The coalition called for the urgent deployment of neutral forces to prevent a return to the violence experienced when the city was under DRC government control. AFC/M23 captured Uvira on December 9, 2025, after a week-long battle in parts of the Ruzizi Valley in South Kivu Province. It said the withdrawal followed a request from the United States to allow peace talks to continue. The group was asked to return to positions within 75 kilometers of the city to enable the international community to ensure civilian protection. Residents had reported a period of relative calm under M23 control, with people resuming daily activities without violence, theft, or looting. However, concerns remain high, with fears that following the M23 withdrawal, supporters of the group could face reprisals or targeted killings.

Faits rapportés

Uvira, January 18, 2026 - Wazalendo fighters have begun taking control of Uvira town following the withdrawal of the AFC/M23 in compliance with ongoing peace talks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Residents confirmed that Wazalendo forces entered the town on Sunday morning, a day after AFC/M23 announced it had fully withdrawn. Videos circulating online show fighters abusing civilians and looting property. A former South Kivu commander, now based in Kalemie, confirmed the return of Wazalendo fighters, saying they were awaiting instructions from their superiors. “We must be very careful. Our leaders must first verify that what M23 is saying is true,” he said. Despite their presence, AFC/M23 stated that it had left Uvira under the responsibility of the international community, urging it to ensure the safety of residents. In a letter dated January 15, 2026, AFC/M23 informed the United Nations Secretary-General that it had requested MONUSCO to protect the city’s population. “Our organization, AFC/M23, has decided to place the city of Uvira under the full responsibility of the international community,” said Corneille Nangaa, leader of the group. He added that a small AFC/M23 monitoring unit had remained temporarily in the town while awaiting the deployment of neutral forces, but that this unit also withdrew on January 15. AFC/M23 warned the UN that the Burundian army, the FDLR terrorist group, Wazalendo groups, and the Cancuro pose serious security threats to Uvira’s residents. “Their presence and activities not only threaten the security of civilians, but also the peace process and the security of the region,” the group said. The coalition called for the urgent deployment of neutral forces to prevent a return to the violence experienced when the city was under DRC government control. AFC/M23 captured Uvira on December 9, 2025, after a week-long battle in parts of the Ruzizi Valley in South Kivu Province. It said the withdrawal followed a request from the United States to allow peace talks to continue. The group was asked to return to positions within 75 kilometers of the city to enable the international community to ensure civilian protection. Residents had reported a period of relative calm under M23 control, with people resuming daily activities without violence, theft, or looting. However, concerns remain high, with fears that following the M23 withdrawal, supporters of the group could face reprisals or targeted killings.