The leader of the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo dismissed calls for an immediate ceasefire from both Kinshasa and Kigali on Thursday, stating that the appeal “doesn’t concern us” as his forces advanced further into Congolese territory, capturing the strategic town of Walikale.
Walikale, with a population of 15,000, marks the furthest western reach of the rebels since their swift offensive began in January. The town fell after intense clashes between the rebels, the Congolese army, and allied militias on Wednesday. This is the latest development in a conflict that has spiraled into one of the deadliest in eastern Congo since the 1998-2003 war, which involved several neighboring countries and caused millions of deaths.
“The enemy now controls Walikale,” confirmed Nestor Mavudisa, a spokesperson for the Congolese army.
Walikale is located in a mineral-rich region, known for tin production, and sits along a vital road linking several provinces in eastern Congo. Its capture brings the rebels closer to Kisangani, the country’s fourth-largest city, positioned along the Congo River, which is a key port for transportation.
In a surprise meeting on Tuesday, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame called for an immediate ceasefire. However, M23 leader Corneille Nangaa rejected the appeal, insisting that the M23 was not fighting at Rwanda’s request but for their own cause. “We are Congolese fighting for our rights,” Nangaa stated in an interview in Goma. “What happened in Doha, as long as we don’t have details, does not concern us.”
The conflict, which has deep historical roots linked to the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and competition over Congo’s mineral resources, has evolved into a larger regional conflict. Troops from Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi have engaged in this year’s fighting, further escalating tensions in the region.
Despite calls for dialogue, the M23 rebel group refused to attend scheduled talks in Angola earlier this week, citing European Union sanctions on some of its leaders and Rwandan officials. Analysts view this move as a sign of the rebels’ growing confidence following their territorial gains.
Nangaa reiterated that direct talks with Kinshasa were essential for resolving the conflict, emphasizing that M23 sought an end to the persecution of Tutsis in Congo and a more inclusive governance structure. “We demand that any dialogue be direct,” he said. “We are committed to finding a peaceful solution.”
