A fragile ceasefire between Congolese forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the strategic eastern town of Walikale appeared to collapse on Monday, with the rebels retracting their pledge to withdraw and accusing the Congolese army of violating its own commitments.
The ceasefire had briefly sparked hopes of revitalizing stalled diplomatic efforts to end the long-running conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The region's instability is rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and ongoing competition for control over valuable mineral resources. The conflict has seen the capture of the DRC's two largest cities by rebel forces, resulting in thousands of deaths and heightening concerns about a potential regional war.
Just 48 hours after M23 rebels announced their intention to withdraw from Walikale, and the Congolese army pledged not to launch new attacks, the ceasefire was in jeopardy. Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the M23’s Congo River Alliance (AFC), accused the Congolese army and allied militias of not withdrawing their attack drones from Walikale, saying it was a major obstacle to the ceasefire’s success.
“This situation delays the repositioning of AFC/M23 forces in the zone,” Kanyuka wrote on X. “It should be noted that this act constitutes a major obstacle to respecting the ceasefire and thus compromises peace initiatives underway.”
Army spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, local residents of Walikale reported seeing rebel fighters still present in the town on Monday morning. "They haven't moved. They are still visible in the centre of town," said one anonymous resident, speaking on condition of safety.
Failed Peace Talks and Mediation Efforts
Efforts to bring Congo and the rebels to the negotiating table have repeatedly failed. The two sides were scheduled to hold direct talks for the first time in Angola last week after the Congolese government dropped its long-standing refusal to negotiate with the rebels. However, M23 withdrew from the talks in protest of European Union sanctions against its leaders and Rwandan officials.
On Monday, Angola announced it would step back from mediating the conflict, citing the need to focus more on the broader priorities of the African Union (AU). Angola’s withdrawal followed frustration over a surprise meeting arranged by Qatar’s emir between Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, which Angola viewed as undermining its efforts for an African-led solution.
Despite this, Tshisekedi and Kagame expressed support for an immediate ceasefire at their meeting. However, M23 made it clear that it was not bound by their calls for peace.
Accusations and Denials
Both Congo, the United Nations, and Western nations accuse Rwanda of providing military support to the M23 rebels, allegations Rwanda consistently denies. Rwanda argues that its military operations are in self-defense against the DRC army and a militia composed of individuals associated with the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide.
In a statement on Monday, Qatar’s government expressed optimism over the developments, calling them a "significant positive step toward achieving stability and peace in the region," despite the ongoing difficulties in reaching a lasting ceasefire.
The volatile situation in Walikale highlights the persistent challenges to peace in eastern DRC, as both regional powers and local rebel groups remain locked in a cycle of conflict with no clear resolution in sight.
Iran is not seeking war but will only accept a settlement that ensures a permanent end to the conflict, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi...
Iran is reviewing a U.S. proposal to end the war in the Gulf but has no intention of holding talks to ...
Both the United States and Iran are giving conflicting messages about trying to end the conflict in the Middle East as the rest of the world battle...
Conflicting messages emerged from Iran about its response to a U.S. peace offer reportedly delivered to it by Pakistan on Wednesday (25 March)...
A Los Angeles jury has found Alphabet’s Google and Meta liable for $3 million in damages in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit, a deci...
The military spokesperson for the M23 rebel movement, Willy Ngoma, was killed in an army drone strike in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo early on Tuesday (24 February), according to a regional diplomat, a senior rebel figure and a Western adviser to the government.
Escalating clashes in South Kivu’s highlands are sending a rising flow of wounded to Fizi’s small general hospital, where staff warn they are running out of space and supplies as the conflict expands across remote areas.
More than 200 people were killed this week when a landslide caused part of the Rubaya coltan mine to collapse in North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local officials said on Sunday (1 February). The disaster struck a rebel-controlled mining area during the rainy season.
More than 200 people were killed in a collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo this week, according to rebel-appointed provincial authorities who said the final toll is still being verified.
Both the United States and Iran are giving conflicting messages about trying to end the conflict in the Middle East as the rest of the world battle with the consequences of the war. Welcome to AnewZ's coverage of the tensions in the Middle East.
Afghan authorities say Pakistani jets entered northern Afghanistan, while Pakistan insists its actions target terrorism, highlighting continued strain after a temporary Eid ceasefire ended.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen resigned on Wednesday after her coalition suffered a heavy election defeat, triggering negotiations over who will form the next government.
Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, the Israeli military said, after U.S. President Donald Trump postponed a threat to bomb the Islamic Republic's power grid because of what he described as productive talks with Iranian officials.
The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated Tehran’s stand on the latest developments in the Israel and the United States war in Iran following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to postpone bombing the country's energy infrastructure.
A Los Angeles jury has found Alphabet’s Google and Meta liable for $3 million in damages in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit, a decision that could shape thousands of similar cases.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said it is unfair for people around the world to shoulder the cost of U.S.–Israeli attacks on Iran, warning that Spanish firms have already lost €100 billion ($116 billion) in less than a month as a result of the conflict.
Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), said on Wednesday that the U.S. had “clearly made a mistake” in launching strikes on Iran, arguing Washington misjudged the resilience of the Iranian regime.
Russia’s Baltic ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga, major export terminals, suspended loadings of crude oil and refined products on Wednesday after large-scale Ukrainian drone attacks triggered a blaze, sources told Reuters.
The UK government is to trial social media bans, curfews and app time limits in the homes of 300 teenagers, as part of a wider consultation on restricting under-16s’ access to platforms and improving online safety.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment