Residents in Uvira have held a protest in support of M23 fighters, describing them as liberators and saying they feel safer under their control.
M23 says it is fighting for its community while also engaging in peace talks in Doha and the United States.
The group has announced plans to withdraw, but has not given a timeline or commented on the protest.
M23 insists any withdrawal must involve a neutral force, not a direct handover to the DR Congo government.
Some residents oppose pressure for a pullout and are calling for US forces to guarantee their security.
They warn they could block roads if the fighters leave without safeguards.
Fighting continues south of Uvira, raising doubts over when or how a withdrawal might begin.
Al Jazeera’s Alain Uaykani reports from the rally in Uvira, in DR Congo.
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