Rwanda-backed M23 rebels pushed further into the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, just a day after the presidents of Congo and Rwanda called for an immediate ceasefire. Residents told Reuters that the rebels had reached the outskirts of Walikale, with gunfire reported near the Nyabangi neighborhood. According to a military source, M23 forces launched a surprise attack, overrunning a Congolese army position and engaging in clashes with both the army and pro-government militias.
Walikale, a mineral-rich town known for its tin deposits, marks the furthest west the rebels have advanced in their ongoing offensive—an unprecedented move this year. Home to around 15,000 people, Walikale lies about 125 kilometers northwest of Goma, which M23 seized in January, and places them just 400 kilometers from Kisangani, Congo’s fourth-largest city.
The rebel advance has already had economic repercussions, with Alphamin Resources suspending operations at its Bisie tin mine, located roughly 60 kilometers northwest of Walikale.
In response to the escalating crisis—described as eastern Congo’s most intense conflict since the 1998-2003 regional war—regional powers and international actors have ramped up diplomatic efforts. On Tuesday, Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame held their first face-to-face meeting since the M23 escalation began, issuing a joint call with Qatar for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire.
The United Nations has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels by supplying arms and troops. Kigali, however, denies these claims, stating that its military is acting in self-defense against Congo’s army and a militia linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Direct talks between Congo and M23 were expected to take place Tuesday in Angola, following a policy shift by Kinshasa, which had long refused dialogue with the rebels. However, M23 withdrew from the negotiations on Monday, citing European Union sanctions on some of its leaders and Rwandan officials.
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Publisher: The Scribe
