M23 rebels have taken control of Walikale, a key mining town in eastern DRC. This is the farthest west the Rwanda-backed group has advanced since launching its offensive in January.
The capture of the town comes amid ceasefire calls by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents earlier this week.
Nestor Mavudisa, spokesperson for the Congolese army (FARDC), confirmed on Thursday that “the enemy” had taken control of Walikale, approximately 400 km (250 miles) from Kisangani, the country’s fourth-largest city.
Former provincial deputy Prince Kihangi told the Associated Press: “The rebels are visible at the monument and at the Bakusu group office.”
The M23 rebels reportedly entered Walikale late Wednesday after heavy fighting with the army and pro-government militias.
Doctors Without Borders reported that its Walikale base was hit by gunfire during the fighting. The Bisie tin mine, 60 km northwest of Walikale, has halted operations due to the rebel advance.
The takeover follows peace talks between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Qatar. The meeting occurred on Wednesday, a day after a failed attempt to initiate ceasefire negotiations between Congo’s government and M23 leaders. The rebels withdrew from the talks after the European Union announced sanctions against their leaders.
M23, part of the Congo River Alliance insurgent group on Thursday said it is committed to a ceasefire but had to “liberate” Walikale to protect civilians from alleged attacks by the Congo army. “The town of Walikale has been liberated by our forces to protect the population and their property,” the group said.
In a Fox News interview earlier this week, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi expressed openness to a critical minerals deal with the United States in exchange for security aid. “I think that the U.S. is able to use either pressure or sanctions to make sure that armed groups who are in … (Congo) can be kept at bay,” he said.
Over 7,000 people have died, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced since the conflict in DRC escalated in January. M23 seized Goma in January and Bukavu in February.
