The recent withdrawal of the M23 armed group from Uvira has drawn significant attention from human rights organizations and international bodies. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged immediate action from both international entities and the Congolese government to safeguard civilians in the wake of the retreat, particularly from potential abuses by the Wazalendo militias.
According to HRW, it’s paramount for the Congolese authorities to deploy adequately trained and vetted security forces to reestablish order and protect all civilians, including the often-targeted Banyamulenge community. As outlined by Clementine de Montyoye, a senior researcher at HRW, the removal of abusive militia factions and the arrest of those accountable for crimes against civilians are critical steps in restoring peace.
The capture of Uvira by the M23 on December 10, 2025, had previously intensified the risk of abuse towards civilians. Reports from local civilian groups indicated instances of killings, enforced disappearances, and forced recruitment. HRW has pointed to violations of international humanitarian law by both the Rwanda-supported M23 and the Congolese-aligned Wazalendo. The ongoing conflict resulted in the displacement of at least 200,000 people in December 2025, according to UN statistics.
The Banyamulenge, in particular, endured harassment and assaults under the premise of protection by the M23 forces, with similar fears now directed towards the Wazalendo group following the M23’s withdrawal. The Congolese government, while claiming the Wazalendo’s support in opposing M23, has been criticized by HRW for the group’s historical abuses and lack of accountability.
Calls for the deployment of a neutral force in Uvira have been raised, with M23 themselves proposing that the UN step in to ensure stability. In alignment with this proposition, HRW has advocated for the immediate involvement of the United Nations peacekeeping force, MONUSCO, to incorporate human rights protection experts in collaboration with Congolese authorities. JURIST reported on these developments, highlighting the need for urgent intervention.
The UN Security Council had renewed MONUSCO’s mandate on December 19, 2025, empowering it to support ceasefire efforts, while also condemning the seizure of Uvira by M23 as a destabilizing action threatening regional peace and civilian safety. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, striving to avert further exacerbation of tensions in the region.