The M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo have dismissed ceasefire calls by the government and Rwanda, capturing the strategic town of Walikale, which allows for deeper incursions into DR Congo. The ongoing conflict, fueled by historical and resource-driven tensions, risks evolving into a broader regional war.
The M23 rebel leader in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has rejected government and Rwandan calls for a ceasefire, stating they “don’t concern us.” This opposition coincides with the capture of Walikale, a strategic town that marks the rebels’ most western advance since their campaign began in January, where they have previously overrun major cities in eastern DR Congo.
Walikale, home to approximately 15,000 residents, fell following intense battles involving the rebels, government forces, and allied militias, according to local sources and military officials. The ongoing conflict has its roots in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and competition over valuable mineral resources, posing one of the most significant challenges since the DR Congo war of 1998-2003, which caused millions of casualties.
The conflict this year has begun to escalate regionally, with troops from neighboring countries like Rwanda and Burundi engaging in the fray. The town of Walikale lies in a mineral-rich area and connects four provinces, making its capture a strategic advantage, placing the rebels 400 km from Kisangani, the country’s fourth-largest city.
An M23 officer addressed Walikale residents post-capture, reiterating the group’s ambitions to advance towards Kinshasa, promising to leave a small contingent for local security. Despite a recent summit in Qatar between DR Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, M23’s leadership refuses to consider the ceasefire call, instead emphasizing their Congolese identity and motives for fighting.
The M23 rebels’ capture of Walikale signals a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has deep-rooted historical causes and regional implications. The refusal of the M23 to engage in ceasefire discussions highlights escalating tensions and differing perspectives on conflict resolution. Local and international calls for peace remain complicated by competition for resources and underlying ethnic tensions.
Original Source: aapnews.aap.com.au
