M23 Fighters Withdraw From Key Eastern DRC Towns Amid Ongoing Conflict

M23 fighters have withdrawn from several areas in eastern DRC, including Sange, where pro-government militias have moved in. The group is still reported to hold some nearby positions as peace efforts continue.

Fighters from the Rwanda-backed M23 have withdrawn from several areas in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local officials, military sources, and residents, in what appears to be a shift in positions amid ongoing conflict and peace pressure.
The withdrawal reportedly includes key locations north of Uvira in South Kivu province, including the strategic town of Sange, a major transport crossroads about 30 kilometres from Uvira. Local authorities and military representatives confirmed that M23 fighters pulled out of Sange and nearby areas such as Kabunambo, Mutarule, and Bwegera.
Following the withdrawal, pro-government militia fighters known as “wazalendo” reportedly moved into Sange, with residents describing scenes of celebration and relief as control of the area changed hands. One local resident said there was widespread jubilation among young people, women, and schoolchildren after the rebels left.
However, reports indicate that M23 still maintains control of Kamanyola, a town located further north near the convergence of the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. A source within the group said the withdrawal was part of a return to positions held before their earlier advances, suggesting the pullback may not represent a full retreat from the region.
The developments come as international actors, including the United States, continue efforts to push for a peace arrangement between the Congolese government and M23, in exchange for broader regional stability and access to mineral-rich areas in eastern Congo.
The M23 had launched an offensive earlier in the year targeting Uvira in South Kivu during ongoing tensions linked to a broader peace process involving Rwanda and the DRC under US mediation. The group later withdrew from Uvira in January under diplomatic pressure, though it has remained active in other parts of eastern Congo.
Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by armed conflict for more than three decades, driven by competition among various armed groups for control of valuable mineral resources. Since 2021, M23 has expanded its territorial control across parts of North Kivu and Ituri provinces, with recent advances into South Kivu marking a significant escalation of its presence in the region.