AFC/M23 Rebels Withdraw amidst U.S. Pressure

The Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebel group withdrew from strategic positions in Congo's South Kivu province, marking a significant battlefield shift following pressure from the Congolese army and the U.S. This move comes after U.S. sanctions on former President Joseph Kabila for alleged links to the rebels.

This weekend, the Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebel group withdrew from key positions in Congo's eastern South Kivu province, according to the Congolese army and rebel officials. This marks the first significant battlefield shift in months.

The withdrawal follows military and diplomatic pressure from the Congolese army and the United States. It’s the first notable movement since the group briefly took Uvira in December before retreating under U.S. pressure. The rebels relocated from Kabunambo to Luvungi as they retreated towards Bukavu, their previous base.

Meanwhile, Congolese refugees who fled to Burundi are returning, even as conflicts persist despite international mediation efforts. Corneille Nangaa, AFC/M23 political coordinator, criticized the U.S.'s mediator role in a letter, citing recent minerals agreements with Kinshasa. Rwanda has denied supporting the insurgency.