Confusion and fear have gripped the eastern Congolese city of Uvira following the withdrawal of AFC/M23 forces and the subsequent entry of armed groups and government troops, raising urgent questions over who is responsible for protecting civilians.
On Sunday morning, January 18, 2026, fighters from the Wazalendo armed groups entered Uvira shortly after AFC/M23 announced it had fully withdrawn from the city. FARDC troops moved in later the same day, residents and local officials said.
The developments followed a statement released on Saturday by AFC/M23, saying its withdrawal was carried out at the request of the United States, the mediator in the Democratic Republic of Congo conflict, as part of efforts to uphold peace agreements.
Residents told local media they saw Wazalendo fighters enter the city in the morning hours, followed by FARDC forces in the evening.
Washington had earlier urged AFC/M23 to pull back at least 75 kilometers from Uvira, arguing that the move would enable the international community to better safeguard civilians.
During the period when AFC/M23 controlled Uvira, residents reported relative calm, with daily activities resuming and no major incidents of violence, looting, or theft.
However, the group’s departure has fueled fears of reprisals against civilians accused of having supported AFC/M23.
Videos circulating on social media show Wazalendo fighters being welcomed by sections of the population, while other footage appears to document incidents of looting as the group entered the city.
South Kivu’s government-appointed governor, Jean Jacques Pulusi Sadiki—currently in Bujumbura—has urged residents to exercise restraint and avoid violence.
“Extreme caution is required,” he said, calling on the population to refrain from any acts of violence, particularly those linked to ethnic divisions or revenge.
Pulusi said provincial authorities would return to Uvira and Bukavu in the coming days, pledging to address losses suffered by residents, but stressing that restoring peace and security remains the priority.
In a statement, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said the group had withdrawn its final unit responsible for maintaining security, pending the handover of the city to what he described as “neutral forces.”
Images released by the group showed long convoys of its fighters leaving Uvira.
AFC/M23 seized Uvira in early December last year after days of intense fighting in nearby areas, forcing FARDC troops, Wazalendo fighters, and Burundian forces to retreat south.
Both the Kinshasa government and Washington had previously denied that AFC/M23 had withdrawn from the city, a claim that was also disputed by local civil society groups at the time.
Witnesses say the entry of Wazalendo fighters on Sunday now confirms that AFC/M23 has indeed left Uvira.
Kanyuka said AFC/M23 should not be held accountable for any developments following its withdrawal, arguing that responsibility for security now lies with the United Nations and the international community.
It remains unclear whether UN peacekeepers from MONUSCO will assume responsibility for maintaining security in the city.
Analysts say the lack of a clearly defined security handover risks leaving civilians exposed during the transition.
