The M23 armed group has seized Walikale, a key mining town in the DRC, despite ceasefire efforts between Congolese and Rwandan leaders. The conflict has disrupted mining operations, impacting global tin prices and raising concerns about humanitarian impacts. Negotiations for peace remain complicated due to M23’s objectives and Rwanda’s alleged involvement.
The M23 armed group, backed by Rwanda, has successfully seized control of Walikale, a mining hub in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This event comes despite ongoing attempts to negotiate a ceasefire. The capture, which occurred late Wednesday, signifies the farthest west that the M23 has advanced since its emergence in 2012, impacting a town of approximately 60,000 residents.
This takeover occurred shortly after Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame held surprise discussions in Doha, showing their mutual support for a ceasefire. However, as Qatar mediates the situation, the specifics of any potential truce remain uncertain and require further negotiations.
An officer in the DRC’s military (FARDC) reported that due to the M23’s advance, they withdrew to avoid casualties, relocating around 30 kilometers away. The conflict escalated fighting in Mubi, with officials indicating confirmed engagements. Consequently, the mining company, Alphamin, was compelled to evacuate employees and cease operations at the prominent tin mine in the region, significantly affecting tin prices amid growing global demand.
Local sources indicate that M23 fighters have established a presence in and around Walikale. Concerns escalated when armed fighters were reportedly spotted by residents. The humanitarian aspect was highlighted when a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) base was caught in crossfire but reported no injuries, though MSF is monitoring for incoming wounded individuals.
The M23 has mounted rapid advances throughout the mineral-rich eastern DRC, expelling Congolese army forces from substantial areas and raising apprehensions of broader regional conflict. Walikale’s strategic location at the intersection of critical roads from Goma and Bukavu enhances its significance, as both cities are now under M23 control.
Furthermore, the DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 to access its mineral wealth and fertile farmland, although Rwanda denies these allegations. A United Nations report claims Rwanda maintains approximately 4,000 troops in eastern DRC to assist the M23. The recent discussions in Doha concluded with both presidents endorsing an immediate ceasefire, but the absence of detailed implementation terms casts doubt on its future success.
As discussions proceeded, it was noted that M23 lacks a clear negotiating agenda, having no demands but seeking to depose President Tshisekedi. This meeting followed the cancellation of anticipated peace talks in Luanda, marking yet another broken ceasefire in a long history of failed truces since the end of 2021.
The recent capture of Walikale by the M23 group, despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, underscores the complexity of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Key leaders acknowledged the need for a truce, yet the lack of specificity and the absence of M23’s willingness to negotiate create significant challenges. This situation not only impacts local communities but also raises concerns for regional stability and resource control.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
