President Félix Tshisekedi has dismissed assertions by the M23 rebel movement that it has withdrawn from the eastern Congolese city of Uvira, insisting that fighters remain entrenched in and around the area.

Speaking by videoconference during a regional security meeting hosted by Uganda, Tshisekedi told fellow leaders that intelligence from the ground contradicts statements issued by the rebel coalition known as the Congo River Alliance (AFC).

He maintained that M23 elements still occupy key positions, exposing civilians to continued threats and abuses.

Uvira, a strategic city in South Kivu province near Lake Tanganyika, fell to M23 forces earlier this month following heavy fighting.

The rebels later announced they had pulled out, describing the move as a goodwill gesture aimed at supporting peace efforts reportedly encouraged by international mediation.

However, Tshisekedi argued that such declarations are meaningless without independent confirmation.

He stressed that only a verified withdrawal could restore confidence in ongoing peace initiatives, warning that unsubstantiated claims risk undermining fragile diplomatic efforts.

The disagreement prompted regional officials to push for the rapid deployment of an impartial verification mechanism. Uganda’s state minister for foreign affairs, John Mulimba, said regional leaders agreed that a neutral force should be tasked with confirming the situation on the ground.

He added that the presidents of Kenya and Zimbabwe would help oversee the implementation of agreed peace measures.

The dispute comes amid a worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where renewed clashes have forced more than 200,000 people from their homes in recent weeks.

The fighting has persisted despite a peace understanding signed earlier this month between Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame.

Eastern Congo has endured decades of instability, with M23 now controlling large swathes of territory, including several major towns. The Congolese government and the United Nations have repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the rebel allegations Kigali strongly denies.

As regional and international actors intensify diplomatic engagement, the true status of Uvira is emerging as a key indicator of whether current peace efforts can translate into lasting stability for the conflict-hit region.