Rwandan-Backed M23 Fighters Pull Back from Key Towns in Eastern DRC
GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo – Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have withdrawn from multiple positions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including the strategic town of Sange near the Burundian border, according to local officials, the Congolese army, and a source within the rebel group.
The pullback marks a notable shift on the ground, though M23 insists it still controls Kamanyola, a tri-border hub where the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi converge. Pro-government militias have already moved into some of the areas vacated by the rebels.
The withdrawal comes as the United States presses both parties to honor a ceasefire and revive a stalled peace accord between Congo and Rwanda. Washington has been increasingly vocal about preventing a broader regional escalation.
Sange, located in South Kivu province, had been held by M23 for weeks. Its proximity to Burundi raised concerns that the insurgency could further destabilize the already volatile Great Lakes region. A Congolese army spokesperson confirmed the rebel retreat, while cautioning that Kamanyola remains under M23’s control.
“The enemy has left several localities, but we remain vigilant,” the spokesperson said. A local official in Sange added that government-allied militia fighters, known as Wazalendo, have taken up positions to prevent a rebel return.
Eastern DRC has endured decades of armed conflict, with dozens of groups vying for land and a share of the region’s vast mineral wealth, including gold, coltan, and tin. The M23 insurgency, which seized large swaths of territory in late 2021, has been widely documented as receiving training and equipment from neighboring Rwanda—a charge Kigali denies.
Analysts say the limited withdrawal could be a tactical move aimed at easing diplomatic pressure rather than a genuine step toward peace. The United Nations and African Union have called for a full demobilization of the group under an existing regional peace framework.
As of Wednesday, no further redeployments have been reported, and fighting remains largely dormant along the front lines near Kamanyola. However, residents fear that any breakdown in U.S.-backed ceasefires could trigger another rapid rebel advance.
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