Tshisekedi: FARDC and Burundian Troops Let M23 Enter Uvira in Tactical Retreat
President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has stated that government forces deliberately allowed the AFC/M23 rebel coalition to take control of the city of Uvira following what he described as a tactical military withdrawal.
Tshisekedi made the remarks on Sunday, December 21, while addressing participants at a regional heads of state summit convened by Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
During his speech, the Congolese president once again accused Rwanda of violating peace agreements signed between the two countries in Washington, DC, on December 4, 2025. He alleged that less than 48 hours after he and Rwandan President Paul Kagame signed the accord, Uvira was seized by “Rwandan forces and the M23, which he said is backed by Rwanda.”
According to Tshisekedi, the capture of Uvira constituted a breach of the ceasefire commitments, United Nations and African Union agreements, as well as UN Security Council Resolution 2773 on international peace and security.
The president explained that Uvira fell after Congolese forces decided to “withdraw tactically” in order to counter the use of what he described as “indiscriminate weapons,” including kamikaze suicide drones. He said the decision was taken to prevent heavy civilian casualties.
He emphasized that the withdrawal should not be interpreted as a surrender or a sign of weakness by the Congolese army.
AFC/M23 fighters took control of Uvira on December 9, forcing out a coalition of Congolese government forces, including FARDC troops and Burundian forces. The rebel group later announced its withdrawal from the city on December 17.
