KINSHASA, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) said late Monday they have retaken control of Uvira, a strategic city in the eastern province of South Kivu previously seized by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebellion.
In a statement, the FARDC said the takeover took place on Sunday, following the withdrawal of M23 fighters.
The statement, signed by Mak Hazukay Mongba, the FARDC's acting spokesperson, accused the rebels of carrying out "systematic looting" before leaving the town. It said about 20 civilians suspected of involvement in the looting had been arrested and would be referred to justice.
"The FARDC are continuing their deployment in Uvira and surrounding areas to consolidate their positions and secure people and their property," the army said.
In a separate statement released on Monday, the DRC government said it had begun implementing a plan to gradually restore state authority in the city of Uvira and its surrounding areas in the eastern part of the country.
On Saturday, the M23 said it would fully withdraw its remaining elements from Uvira, a strategic lakeside city on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, which it claimed to have captured in December 2025. In a statement, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka called the move a "difficult decision" and said the group was pulling out what it described as an "observation and monitoring unit."
Kanyuka said the group was placing Uvira "under the full responsibility of the United Nations and the international community." The M23 said it was leaving to give peace efforts in the region a chance, without disclosing the number of fighters involved.
The rebel group also said it had asked the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, known as MONUSCO, to protect civilians in Uvira in line with its mandate. MONUSCO did not make a statement concerning the request.
Fighting has continued on several fronts in South Kivu near Uvira, underscoring the persistent instability in eastern DRC.
Eastern DRC has been plagued by recurrent violence for decades, a situation worsened by the resurgence of the M23 since late 2021. The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, an allegation Kigali denies. ■
