The leader of a rebel group operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo said his fighters would leave the key town of Uwera at the request of the United States.

Cornel Nanga's comments come days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Uvera's capture by the rebels was a violation of the peace agreement and that the US could take action to uphold its promises to President Donald Trump.

Rebel leader Ngam said his fighters would leave the city to "build trust."

The United States accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebels. Rwanda denies the charges, but its President Paul Kagame signed a peace deal with his Democratic Republic of Congo counterpart Felix Tshisekedi in early December, brokered by Trump.

The US president hailed the agreement as "historic" and a "big day for Africa."

While the rebels did not sign the peace deal, they did participate in a peace process brokered by Qatar, a US ally with strong ties to Rwanda.

Nanga is the coordinator of the 'Alliance Fluvi Congo', a coalition of rebels including the M23, which the US and European countries say is backed by Rwanda.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's army is supported by troops from neighboring Burundi, and the M23's capture of the town of Uvera, 27 kilometers from the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, is a major setback for the government army.