M23 Rebels Capture Mineral-Rich Walikale Amid Ceasefire Defiance

M23 rebels have captured the strategic town of Walikale in eastern Congo, defying calls for a ceasefire from the Congolese and Rwandan presidents. This escalation follows failed negotiations and is part of a larger conflict that has displaced over 7 million people. The Walikale area houses valuable mineral resources, further complicating the situation.

On a recent Wednesday, M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, entered the strategic town of Walikale in eastern Congo, an occurrence reported by local residents and civil society leaders. This event transpired just a day after the leaders of Congo and Rwanda called for an immediate ceasefire. Prince Kihangi, a former provincial deputy, confirmed the rebels’ presence at notable locations within Walikale, signifying a critical escalation in their control.

The capture of Walikale enables the M23 rebels to control a crucial road that connects four provinces: North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, and Maniema. This strategic move isolates Congolese army positions. Civil society activist Fiston Misona noted that heavy artillery sounded throughout the day, but had subsided to sporadic gunfire later. He described the situation, stating, “Our Congolese army is no longer fighting; it is as if we were being sacrificed.”

This escalation in hostilities follows a meeting in Qatar between the presidents of Congo and Rwanda that aimed to initiate an immediate ceasefire, although earlier negotiations for peace were unsuccessful. The M23, one of nearly 100 armed factions competing for dominance in mineral-rich eastern Congo, had previously retreated from ceasefire discussions after the European Union imposed sanctions on its leaders.

The conflict in eastern Congo has intensified significantly this year, with the M23 rebels having seized key areas including the city of Goma and Bukavu. This ongoing violence has resulted in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, displacing over 7 million people. U.N. experts report that the M23 is supported by approximately 4,000 troops from Rwanda, raising concerns about potential advances towards Congo’s capital, Kinshasa.

Furthermore, the U.N. Human Rights Council has initiated an investigation into reported atrocities committed by both sides, including serious allegations of sexual violence and extrajudicial killings. The Walikale region is particularly significant due to its vast tin deposits and gold mines; notably, the Bisie tin mine, crucial for tin exports, recently announced a temporary halt of operations due to the advancing conflict.

The situation in eastern Congo remains dire as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seize control of Walikale, despite recent calls for a ceasefire from both Congolese and Rwandan leaders. This development highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis, marked by widespread displacement and conflict driven by competing armed factions. The global community continues to watch as the conflict escalates, with significant implications for regional stability and human rights.

Original Source: www.newsday.com