FARDC Accuses AFC/M23 of Lying About Withdrawal From Uvira
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) have accused the AFC/M23 rebel group of spreading false information by claiming it has withdrawn from the city of Uvira, in South Kivu province.
The accusation comes after AFC/M23 announced that its fighters would have completed a withdrawal from Uvira by Thursday, following more than a week of control over the city.
Speaking on Saturday, December 20, on the state broadcaster RTNC, FARDC spokesperson Major General Sylvain Ekenge dismissed the claim, saying it did not reflect the reality on the ground.
“The claims about their withdrawal have absolutely nothing to do with the real situation on the ground,” Gen. Ekenge said.
He added that the situation was further evidence of what he described as “Rwanda’s clear duplicity” in honoring commitments made under the Washington peace agreement signed earlier this month. That agreement was signed in the presence of former U.S. President Donald Trump by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi.
According to Gen. Ekenge, M23 fighters have not returned to their previous positions, which he said would have been a clear indication of an effective withdrawal from Uvira.
In response to FARDC’s accusations, an M23 spokesperson, Oscar Balinda, rejected the claims in comments reported by the BBC. He challenged Congolese authorities to provide proof.
“That is their claim; let them come and show evidence. As for us, we know we have withdrawn,” Balinda said. “There is international media on the ground—Al Jazeera, BBC, AFP—they are all there. They are watching and have seen our forces leaving. They are on the move, and at this moment they are in transit, looking for another base.”
For security reasons, Balinda declined to disclose the current location of M23 fighters.
