Congo rebels have dismissed ceasefire calls from Kinshasa and Kigali, capturing the strategic town of Walikale in eastern Congo. The M23 rebel leader, Corneille Nangaa, said the appeal for an immediate ceasefire “doesn’t concern us” as his forces push deeper into Congolese territory. Walikale is a key location rich in minerals, including tin, and lies along a road linking four eastern Congo provinces.
The capture of Walikale puts the rebels within 400km of Kisangani, the country’s fourth-largest city, which has a bustling port on the Congo River. M23 leader Nangaa vowed to continue marching towards Kinshasa, despite calls for peace from Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame.
The conflict in eastern Congo is rooted in the 1994 genocide and competition for mineral resources. The UN and Western governments say Rwanda has been providing arms and troops to M23, but Rwanda denies backing the rebels. A direct talks between Kinshasa and M23 had been expected, but the meeting was cancelled after M23 pulled out on Monday.
Analysts say the move shows how emboldened the rebels feel, as well as confusion and mistrust around competing peace initiatives by different foreign governments. The M23 rebel leader reiterated demands for direct talks with Kinshasa, saying it’s the only way to resolve the conflict.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congos-m23-rebels-enter-walikale-town-centre-extending-westward-push-2025-03-20