DR Congo Forces Return To Uvira After M23 Pullback

Wednesday 21st January 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

DR Congo Uvira return of government forces has been reported by residents after Congolese soldiers and pro government militia combatants re entered the eastern town, more than a month after it fell to Rwanda backed M23 rebels in a setback to peace efforts.

Reuters reported that the return followed a rebel withdrawal, with residents describing the re entry as restoring some degree of state presence in a strategic area near Lake Tanganyika. The change in control comes amid wider diplomatic efforts to stabilise eastern Congo, where conflict has repeatedly displaced civilians and disrupted trade and transport links across borders.

Uvira’s strategic value lies in geography and logistics. The town sits near routes that connect to Burundi and Tanzania via lake and overland networks, and it functions as a local hub for commerce and public administration. When armed groups take towns along these corridors, the immediate impact is on security, service delivery, and market access for surrounding communities.

DR Congo Uvira return and the regional security picture

Eastern Congo remains shaped by a mix of armed group activity, regional rivalries, and contested state authority. The Reuters report linked Uvira’s earlier fall to a blow against peace efforts mediated by the Trump administration, underscoring how external actors have been engaged in supporting dialogue.

For neighbours, changes around Uvira matter because instability can spill across borders through displacement, illicit trade routes, and insecurity on transport corridors. It also affects humanitarian access, as agencies often need secure routes to deliver assistance and keep clinics supplied.

The re entry of government forces does not by itself resolve the underlying conflict drivers. However, it can change the immediate security environment, including the reopening of administrative services, restoration of policing, and resumption of basic market activity if residents feel safer moving goods and travelling.

At the same time, the risk of renewed clashes remains a standing concern in eastern Congo whenever control shifts. For civilians, the priority is protection, predictable access to services, and the ability to keep livelihoods running without repeated disruption.

Next steps

DR Congo Uvira return will be followed closely for signs of stabilisation, including whether security forces can hold positions, restore public administration, and prevent reprisals or new displacement. Diplomatic engagement around eastern Congo is also expected to continue as regional actors monitor the evolving front lines.

Why it matters

DR Congo Uvira return matters because control of key towns affects civilian safety, trade routes, and cross border stability in the Great Lakes region. It also shapes the credibility of ongoing peace efforts and the state’s ability to re establish authority in conflict zones.