The M23 armed group has seized Walikale in DR Congo, marking a significant advance despite ceasefire efforts. Following talks between Congolese and Rwandan leaders aimed at a truce, conditions for peace remain uncertain. The fighting has disrupted local mining operations, leading to economic implications. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of support for M23, while concerns grow regarding wider regional conflicts.
The M23 armed group has successfully taken control of the mining town of Walikale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite ongoing efforts to establish a ceasefire this week. This development marks the furthest west the anti-government group has advanced since its emergence in 2012. Local sources report that the seizure occurred on Wednesday, affecting a population of approximately 60,000 people.
Following the recent talks between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Doha, which aimed to support a ceasefire, conditions for any truce remain uncertain. Qatar, the mediator, has indicated that further negotiations are requisite. An officer from the DRC military noted, “Walikale-centre is occupied by the M23… We retreated to avoid human losses,” stating that military forces have now retreated to Mubi, approximately 30 kilometers away.
This offensive has severely impacted local mining activities; Alphamin, the operator of the tin mine at Bisie, has suspended operations and evacuated its employees due to security concerns. The cessation of mining at this significant site has led to an increase in tin prices, as the demand for the mineral in the electronics and renewable energy sectors escalates. Analysts point out that the region also contains various gold mines, further emphasizing its mineral wealth.
Civilian reports indicate a visible presence of M23 fighters in Walikale, with one resident stating they observed armed militants from their home. In the midst of the fighting, a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) base encountered crossfire, though no injuries were reported. Nonetheless, MSF expressed concern about the imminent influx of casualties resulting from ongoing clashes in the area.
In recent months, the M23 has achieved significant territorial gains in eastern DRC and has driven the Congolese army from much of North and South Kivu, raising concerns about potential regional conflict. The town of Walikale is strategically located at the crossroads of major routes from Goma and Bukavu, which are both now under M23 control.
The DRC government has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 to exploit the region’s mineral resources. Although Rwanda has denied such allegations, a UN report claims that it maintains approximately 4,000 troops in eastern DRC to assist the armed group. During the Doha discussions, Tshisekedi and Kagame expressed their commitment to an immediate ceasefire, although specifics regarding its implementation remain unclear, particularly concerning the involvement of the M23 on the ground.
Thierry Vircoulon, an associate researcher at the Sub-Saharan Africa Centre, indicated that Kagame’s participation in the talks suggests a recognition of Rwanda’s role in the regional conflict. However, he suggests that the M23 lacks a structured negotiating agenda, or demands, as their primary objective appears to be the removal of President Tshisekedi from office. Previous peace talks in Luanda were canceled, and multiple ceasefires have failed since the end of 2021, underscoring the complexities of the situation.
The M23’s capture of Walikale represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, exacerbating regional tensions and impacting local economies, particularly in the mining sector. Recent diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire appear inconclusive, highlighting the complexities of effectively negotiating peace amidst ongoing violence. With the DRC government accusing Rwanda of complicity and the M23’s aggressive territorial expansion, the path to stability remains elusive for the region.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
