Under mounting US diplomatic and Congolese military pressure, the AFC/M23 rebel group has withdrawn from multiple strongholds in eastern Congo’s South Kivu province—the most significant frontline shift in months. The retreat, confirmed by Congo’s army and a rebel official, moves rebels from Kabunambo, north of the city of Uvira, to Luvungi, toward the provincial capital, Bukavu. The pullback follows recent US sanctions on former president Joseph Kabila over alleged rebel ties, which he denies. Despite this progress, fighting persists in eastern Congo. Meanwhile, the US mediation effort has been criticized by rebel political coordinator Corneille Nangaa, who accused Washington of bias after it signed a minerals deal with Kinshasa.
Reuters
