This is stated by the armed group itself, but also by local witnesses, who have seen military vehicles leaving the city.
The militia – which, according to the UN and the US, is supported by Rwanda – captured the strategic city near the border with Burundi earlier in December.
Our forces have begun to leave the city of Uvira this afternoon, says a military spokesperson for M23 now.
The Congolese government dismisses the withdrawal as a “distraction.”
The offensive began at the beginning of the month and was ongoing as Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame signed a peace agreement on site in the United States. President Donald Trump called it “a great miracle.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has recently accused Rwanda of violating the agreement.
Over 400 people have been killed in the offensive against Uvira and over 200,000 people have fled, according to the UN and aid organizations.
