In what could mark a pivotal moment for eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s long-running conflict, the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel coalition (Alliance Fleuve Congo/AFC-M23) has announced a conditional withdrawal from the strategic South Kivu city of Uvira.

The group described the move as a “trust-building measure” intended to bolster fragile peace negotiations underway in Doha.

Spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka declared on social media: “AFC/M23 announces pullback from Uvira to strengthen dialogue and revitalise peace talks.”

The announcement follows the rebels’ lightning capture of the Lake Tanganyika port city last week, a move that defied a U.S.-brokered December accord between Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame and triggered international outrage.

Uvira, a vital trade hub bordering Burundi and Tanzania, has been at the centre of accusations from Kinshasa that Kigali continues to violate pledges to halt rebel support. The offensive displaced more than 200,000 civilians since December 2, with at least 40,000 refugees crossing into Burundi in a single week.

The conditional withdrawal comes amid intense U.S. and partner pressure to uphold the fragile Washington agreement, which sought to end hostilities and neutralize Hutu militias such as the FDLR. Observers caution, however, that the rebels’ conditions—tied to separate Doha negotiations—could undermine execution. Some view the announcement as a diplomatic concession, while others fear it is a tactical repositioning ahead of new offensives, with whispers of possible moves toward mineral-rich Katanga.

Ground reports remain mixed. While some residents report reduced fighting, others say clashes continue in surrounding areas. Humanitarian agencies warn of severe fallout: the UNHCR reports that Burundi’s refugee sites are overwhelmed, lacking water and sanitation, while UN partners have tallied more than 70 deaths in recent clashes. Overall, the eastern DRC crisis has displaced 1.2 million people in 2025 alone.

The announcement tests whether M23 is genuinely committed to de-escalation or merely buying time. For mediators in Doha, the pullback represents both an opportunity and a risk: a chance to build momentum for peace, but also a reminder of how fragile trust remains in a war that has claimed millions of lives since the 1990s.