DRC : the economic activity resumes in Uvira, while protests erupt in Goma against the withdrawal of the AFC/M23

SOS Médias Burundi

Uvira/Goma, December 24, 2025 – In Uvira, the economic activity is resuming after attacks by the Wazalendo, but the population strongly opposes the withdrawal of the AFC/M23, fearing for their safety. In Goma and Uvira, the civil society is protesting against this withdrawal, denouncing a hasty decision. MONUSCO, the UN mission in the DRC, is being called upon to take action, while Kigali continues to deny any involvement despite the recent report by UN experts—deemed a “sham” by Rwandan authorities—confirming the presence of 5,000 to 7,000 Rwandan soldiers alongside AFC/M23 fighters.

Following the attacks attributed to Wazalendo elements on Monday, December 22, 2025, socio-economic activities gradually resumed on Tuesday in the city of Uvira, South Kivu. Markets, shops, boutiques, and urban transport—vehicles and tricycles commonly known as Bajaj—reopened in several neighborhoods.

In the district of Mulongwe, the main commercial center, many residents were observed buying clothes and food to prepare for the Christmas holidays. However, some merchants are worried about the blockage of goods coming from abroad, particularly from Burundi, due to the closure of the Gatumba border crossing.

“I had a truck full of clothes from Burundi. With the border closure, the vehicle has to go through Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Bugarama, and Kamanyola before reaching Uvira. I’m afraid the goods won’t arrive until after Christmas,” explained one merchant, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The local population is also facing supply difficulties. Sifa M., a mother of four, complains:

“At the market, there’s no beef or goat meat. All you can find is pork. I don’t know what we’re going to eat for Christmas.”

Regarding security, some residents say they are reassured by the return of calm after Monday’s attacks. Emmanuel K., 50, testifies:

“We see a few police officers in black AFC/M23 uniforms, but there was no gunfire during the night, except during Monday’s attacks. Compared to the clashes between the FARDC and the Wazalendo, the situation is calmer.”

However, the situation remains fragile. Since the arrival of the AFC/M23 in Uvira on December 10, 2025, several trade routes have been disrupted, leading to shortages of goods from Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi, and Kalemie, the capital of Tanganyika province. The withdrawal of the AFC/M23, announced on December 18 following pressure from the United States, is contingent upon the demilitarization of Uvira, the protection of the civilian population, and the monitoring of the ceasefire by a neutral force.

Meanwhile, the population of Goma mobilized on December 22 to protest the withdrawal of the AFC/M23 from Uvira and other strategic areas in eastern DRC. Organized by civil society and local associations, this demonstration aimed to denounce the withdrawal, which they deemed dangerous for civilians. The march began at the Unity Stadium in Goma before proceeding to the MONUSCO base. Songs and slogans expressed solidarity with Uvira :

“No to the withdrawal of the AFC/M23 from Uvira! We support our compatriots and demand that the government engage in dialogue with the AFC/M23 to end the war,” read the banners.

John Shamamba explained :

“We have suffered for a long time from multiple wars. The AFC/M23 came to protect us, but the international community is demanding its withdrawal. We say no to this withdrawal; it is a danger to us.”

Aimable Maliyawatu, a civil society activist, added:

“We fear the rise of insecurity in Uvira if the AFC/M23 leaves. We don’t want any more deaths or injuries. The AFC/M23 must stay so that our compatriots can breathe a little easier.” “

The demonstrators presented a memorandum to the MONUSCO representative, demanding that the AFC/M23 remain in all areas already liberated in North and South Kivu. Guele Mamlaka, a civil society leader, stated:

“The hasty withdrawal of the AFC/M23 poses a danger to the population. We ask the movement to remain in Uvira and in all areas under its control so that we can continue to live in safety.”

The march proceeded peacefully, with no reported property damage or loss of life, and the AFC/M23 police managed the demonstration professionally. Similar demonstrations took place simultaneously in Uvira.

Reactivated in 2021, the AFC/M23, composed primarily of Congolese Tutsis, controls several strategic territories in North and South Kivu. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of providing military support to the movement, while Rwanda denounces the support given by the DRC and Burundi to the FDLR, a Rwandan Hutu armed group whose members are accused of participating in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Kigali continues to deny these allegations despite the recent report by UN experts, which Rwandan authorities have dismissed as a “sham,” confirming the presence of 5,000 to 7,000 Rwandan soldiers alongside AFC/M23 fighters.

Furthermore, Burundi has deployed more than 10,000 soldiers to South Kivu to support the FARDC and the Wazalendo militias allied with the Congolese government. The violence in December has already driven nearly 90,000 Congolese refugees to flee to Burundi, where the security situation remains fragile despite international agreements.