M23 Defy Ceasefire Calls and Advance Deeper into Eastern DRC

(The Post News)– M23 rebels, who are allegedly supported by Rwanda, have persisted in their advance into the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) despite both Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame calling for a quick ceasefire.

Another bloody conflict between the rebels and Congolese authorities was hinted at on Wednesday evening when residents of Walikale, a town in the mineral-rich eastern part of the DRC, reported loud shooting close to the Nyabangi district. According to Walikale residents, gunfire could be heard throughout the area, as the rebels launched a surprise attack, overpowering the Congolese army positions outside the town. An anonymous source within the army confirmed the rebels’ progress, saying they were engaged in ongoing battles with government soldiers and local militias.

Walikale, home to around 15,000 people, marks the farthest westward point the M23 rebels have reached this year. The town is located approximately 125 kilometres from Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, which the rebels captured in January. Walikale’s capture places the M23 within striking distance of Kisangani, Congo’s fourth-largest city, about 400 kilometres to the west. Local industry has been greatly harmed by the rebel advance. Following the escalating confrontation, mining company Alphamin Resources was forced to halt operations at its Bisie tin mine, which is around 60 kilometres north of Walikale.

Moreover, increased diplomatic efforts have resulted from the ongoing war in eastern Congo, a region that has long been unstable, attracting the attention of international powers and neighbouring nations. The goal of these initiatives is to keep things from getting worse and turning into a war like the one that raged from 1998 to 2003 and affected many neighbouring countries.

The first direct discussions between Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame in months took place earlier this week in Doha, Qatar. The two presidents demanded an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire to put an end to the current violence in a joint statement released with Qatari officials. However, the M23 rebels have continued to acquire territory, and the combat has not stopped in spite of these diplomatic attempts.

Rwanda has been charged by the United Nations (UN) with supplying military support and weapons to the M23 rebels. However, Rwanda has refuted these allegations, claiming that its troops are defending themselves against Congolese militias and troops, some of whom are made up of people connected to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Attempts to initiate direct talks between the DRC government and the M23 rebels have faced setbacks. The rebels, who had initially agreed to meet in Angola on Tuesday, withdrew from the negotiations, citing the European Union’s sanctions against some of their leaders and Rwandan officials as a primary reason.