March 22 – M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have declared their intention to withdraw from the town of Walikale in eastern Congo, a move they say is in support of peace efforts. This decision comes after the rebels initially indicated they would maintain forces in the town while advancing towards the capital, Kinshasa.
The announcement was made on Saturday by the Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 group. The statement confirmed that the rebels would reposition their forces away from Walikale and surrounding areas, which they seized earlier this week. This decision is presented as a commitment to the ceasefire declared in February and as part of broader peace initiatives. However, skepticism remains among Congo’s military officials about the sincerity of the move.
“We are repositioning our forces to give peace a chance,” a senior member of the alliance said, without disclosing where the rebels would relocate. The M23 also called for Walikale and its surrounding areas to be demilitarized, warning that any return of Congo’s army and its allies would be seen as an act of aggression.
Congolese Foreign Affairs Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner expressed hope that the announcement would lead to tangible results. “We are waiting to see if M23 will withdraw from Walikale and prioritize dialogue and peace,” she said.
The M23’s withdrawal comes after a week of heightened tensions and clashes with Congo’s military, which has been supported by pro-government militias. Despite the rebel group’s announcement, some army officers remain doubtful about the withdrawal, pointing to reports that M23 forces are continuing their advance towards nearby Mubi.
Walikale’s capture marked the furthest west the M23 rebels have reached in their ongoing offensive, which has seen them overrun major cities in eastern Congo since January. The town’s strategic location puts the rebels within 400 km of Kisangani, a key city in the country.
The M23’s actions have sparked regional tensions, with accusations that Rwanda has been supporting the group militarily. Rwanda denies the allegations, claiming its actions are in self-defense against Congo’s military and a militia linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
M23 leader Corneille Naanga rejected calls for an immediate ceasefire from both Congo and Rwanda, reiterating his demand for direct talks with the Congolese government as the only path to peace.
