M23 takes control of significant mining town in DRC’s most western advance, despite calls for a ceasefire from DRC and Rwanda.
The rebel takeover of the North Kivu province’s mining hub occurred on Wednesday, with minimal resistance, and with support from the Rwandan army, according to Radio Okapi, the UN’s radio service in DRC.
Security sources in the region confirmed the capture of the city to the AFP news agency on Thursday.
“Walikale-centre is occupied by the M23 … We retreated to avoid human losses,” a DRC military (FARDC) officer told AFP, adding that their forces are now roughly 30km (19 miles) away in Mubi.
Fiston Misona, a civil society activist in Walikale, reported to Reuters, “The rebels are now visible in the centre of the city. There are at least seven people wounded at the general hospital.”
An M23 source confirmed to Reuters that the rebels are now in full control of Walikale, while the FARDC did not immediately respond regarding the current situation.
Walikale’s seizure marks the farthest advancement into DRC’s interior by the group since its inception in 2012.
The conflict escalates following the calls of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame for an immediate ceasefire and an unconditional halt to hostilities during talks in Doha, Qatar.
Thousands fleeing
Approximately 15,000 residents live in Walikale, situated 125km (78 miles) northwest of Goma, DRC’s largest eastern city, which was captured by M23 in January. This puts them 400km (250 miles) from Kisangani, DRC’s fourth-biggest city.
Al Jazeera’s Alain Uaykani, reporting from Goma, confirmed that residents of Walikale had witnessed the presence of M23 in the town.
“Thousands of people are on the road, as most try to flee towards Kisangani province to find refuge.”
This month, M23 captured Nyabiondo city, 110km (68 miles) northwest of Goma, following prolonged clashes with government forces and pro-government militias. M23 also captured Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, in February.
So far, the conflict has prompted Alphamin to evacuate its employees and suspend operations at its Bisie mine, the world’s third-largest tin ore cassiterite mine, located in the Walikale district. The region also has several gold mines.
With the situation deteriorating, neighboring countries and foreign powers have increased diplomatic efforts to halt eastern DRC’s most severe conflict since a 1998-2003 war that involved multiple neighboring countries.
The UN accuses Rwanda of providing support to M23 through arms and troop deployment, a claim that Kigali denies.
DRC and M23 were expected to hold their first direct talks on Tuesday in Angola; however, M23 withdrew on Monday, blaming European Union sanctions against some M23 and Rwandan officials.
In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC) including M23, said, “We will fight until our cause is heard.”
Regarding the talks between Tshisekedi and Kagame in Qatar, Nangaa stated, “Doha’s developments don’t concern us as long as we don’t know the details and they don’t address our problems.”
The conflict has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of people to neighboring territories and countries, according to the UN.
