As eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to be a hotspot of prolonged insecurity and conflict spanning many years, remarks by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham have once again placed Uvira and the AFC/M23 issue at the center of international discussions.
The veteran senator on diplomacy and security said he welcomed the decision by the AFC/M23 coalition to withdraw its forces from the city of Uvira, the second-largest city in South Kivu Province. However, he said he was deeply saddened to learn that those forces were attacked while they were pulling out of the city.
In a message posted on his X account, Senator Graham stated:
“I am pleased to see reports of M23 forces withdrawing from the city of Uvira in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, I am saddened to hear that those forces were attacked while they were being withdrawn.”
These remarks came at a time when limited hope had begun to emerge that the conflict in eastern Congo might de-escalate, following AFC/M23’s decision to leave Uvira after having controlled the city for just one week.
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On the evening of Wednesday, December 17, 2025, AFC/M23 began withdrawing its forces from the city. This decision was taken following a request from the United States and was seen as a confidence-building step aimed at supporting long-discussed peace talks.
AFC/M23 explained that despite continued acts it described as provocation and violence by Congolese government forces (FARDC), allied Wazalendo groups, and other partners, it chose to pull out of Uvira in order to “give greater opportunities to peace talks and demonstrate willingness to resolve the crisis through political dialogue.”
However, these hopes for peace were quickly shaken by reports that the withdrawing forces came under attack. Although no official figures have been released regarding the consequences of these attacks, AFC/M23 said the incidents reinforced long-standing concerns based on past experiences.
The coalition recalled that in previous instances, confidence-building measures it had taken—such as ceasefires or withdrawals from certain areas, were often exploited. It accused FARDC, Wazalendo militias, and their allies of reoccupying areas that had been vacated and of targeting civilians suspected of supporting AFC/M23.
For this reason, AFC/M23 called on international mediators, including the United States, to put in place clear measures to ensure security in Uvira after its withdrawal.
These measures include the disarmament of the city, the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure, and the establishment of mechanisms to monitor the ceasefire through the deployment of neutral forces.
For his part, Senator Graham emphasized that the role of the United States remains crucial in this situation. He said Washington must continue its leadership role and work to bring the warring parties back to the negotiating table, which he sees as the only sustainable path to peace.
He added:
“This is essential to support President Trump’s vision of peace and economic development in the Great Lakes region.”
These remarks underscore that Washington continues to view the Congo crisis as a regional security issue, given that instability in Kivu has broader implications for neighboring countries and the entire Great Lakes region.
For the people of Uvira and eastern Congo as a whole, these developments mean that the road to peace remains long and fraught with obstacles. AFC/M23’s decision to withdraw from Uvira had been seen as a moment of hope, but the reported attacks on withdrawing forces have highlighted how fragile security and trust between the opposing sides still remain.
