M23 Rebels Ignore Ceasefire Calls, Capture Strategic Town in Eastern Congo
M23 rebels in eastern Congo dismiss ceasefire demands from Kinshasa and Kigali, capturing the strategic town of Walikale. This advance marks a significant escalation in an ongoing conflict rooted in historical grievances and competition for mineral resources. The situation raises concerns of a wider regional conflict, with calls for direct negotiations to address the crisis.
The leader of the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo announced on Thursday that they will disregard the ceasefire calls from Kinshasa and Kigali, instead progressing into Congolese territory by seizing the critical town of Walikale. This area represents the farthest west reached by the rebels, who have already taken control of eastern Congo’s two major cities since early January.
Walikale, home to approximately 15,000 individuals, was captured following fierce combat between the rebels and the Congolese army, alongside allied militias. This escalating conflict, deeply rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and competition over mineral wealth, has become the most severe in eastern Congo since the devastating war from 1998 to 2003, which resulted in millions of deaths.
The capture of Walikale, rich in minerals such as tin and strategically located along a road connecting four provinces, positions the M23 rebels about 400 kilometers from Kisangani, Congo’s fourth-largest city. An M23 officer assured residents that a small contingent of soldiers would remain to ensure their security while the full force continues the march towards Kinshasa, expressing intentions to cover a distance of 1,500 kilometers.
In response to the tumultuous situation, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame had called for an immediate ceasefire during a meeting in Qatar. However, the M23 leader, Corneille Nangaa, dismissed this as irrelevant to their cause, stating, “What happened in Doha, as long as we don’t know the details… we’ll say it doesn’t concern us.”
There are allegations from the United Nations and Western governments regarding Rwanda supplying arms and troop support to the M23. Rwanda has refuted these claims, asserting its military actions are for self-defense against the Congolese army and militias. Despite the possibility of direct dialogue between Kinshasa and M23, the rebels withdrew from anticipated talks in Angola, citing EU sanctions as the reason.
Nangaa reiterated the M23’s demands for direct negotiations with Kinshasa and underlined that a peaceful resolution to the conflict is essential in light of the perceived persecution of Tutsis in Congo, alongside essential governance reforms. A statement from the Angolan foreign ministry emphasized the necessity for an African-centered solution to African issues, reflecting deeper regional sentiments regarding conflict resolution.
In conclusion, the M23 rebel group’s actions signal a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. The disregard for ceasefire appeals highlights their determination to continue territorial advances, with implications for regional stability. The call for direct negotiations underscores the necessity for dialogue to address the root causes of conflict and secure a sustainable peace, as tensions persist amid claims of external support for both the rebels and the Congolese government.
Original Source: sightmagazine.com.au
