M23 Rebels Reject Ceasefire, Seize Control of Strategic Walikale Town

The leader of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels rejected ceasefire calls and captured Walikale, a strategic town in eastern Congo. The conflict has intensified, with rebels asserting control over key areas and demanding direct talks with the Congolese government to resolve their grievances.

On Thursday, the leader of the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo rejected a ceasefire appeal from Kinshasa and Kigali, asserting that it “doesn’t concern us” as his forces advanced further into Congolese territory by seizing the strategic town of Walikale. This acquisition marks the westernmost reach of the rebels, who engaged in combat with the Congolese army and allied militias on Wednesday. The town, populated by approximately 15,000 residents, is situated in a mineral-rich area and controls a vital road linking four provinces, positioning the rebels within 400 kilometers of Kisangani, the fourth-largest city in Congo.

Residents of Walikale and M23 sources confirm that the rebels have established full control over the town. Fiston Misona, a local civil society activist, stated, “The rebels are now visible in the center of the city,” noting that there are several injuries from the conflict requiring medical attention at the local hospital. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame had convened in Qatar, calling for an immediate ceasefire, but M23 leader Corneille Nangaa dismissed their appeal, asserting that his forces are fighting independently for a cause.

The conflict has its roots in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and competition for natural resources, quickly escalating to the most severe violence in eastern Congo since the 1998-2003 war involving multiple neighboring nations. Since January, the M23 rebels have successfully captured both Goma and Bukavu, two of the largest cities in eastern Congo, continuously outmaneuvering Congolese military forces.

Various international observers, including the United Nations and Western governments, have accused Rwanda of supplying arms and troops to the M23. Rwanda denies these allegations, claiming its military operations are defensive against the Congolese army and a militia composed of genocide perpetrators. The anticipated direct talks between Congo and M23 that were scheduled to take place in Angola were called off by the rebels, who cited concerns over European Union sanctions affecting some of their leaders.

Despite the setback, Nangaa expressed a desire for direct negotiations with Kinshasa, emphasizing that dialogue is crucial for resolving the ongoing conflict. M23 has articulated demands for an end to the alleged persecution of Tutsis in Congo and advocated for improvements in the nation’s governance, stating, “We demand that if there is a dialogue, it be a direct dialogue.”

The M23 rebel group has decisively captured the strategic town of Walikale, dismissing recent ceasefire calls from Congolese and Rwandan leaders. The ongoing conflict has deep roots in regional tensions and resource competition, with the rebels controlling key territories in eastern Congo. Despite a call for dialogue, M23 has pulled back from negotiations, asserting their demands for direct talks to adequately address the conflict, reflecting their strengthened position on the battlefield.

Original Source: www.usnews.com