KINSHASA: M23 Remains In Eastern DRC Despite Announcing Withdrawal
Despite expressing plans to depart for more peace negotiations, the M23 armed group remained in the town of Walikale in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Rwanda-backed group said that it was “repositioning its forces” outside the boundaries of Walikale to help establish the environment for “peace and political dialogue”.
At the same time, it stated that it would not allow government troops to return to the town, which has a population of approximately 60,000 people.
On Saturday evening, Congolese soldiers stated that they would “observe with vigilance” the departure and desist from any hostile actions.
RWANDA WELCOMES PROGRESS IN DRC
— Rwanda Government Communications (@RwandaOGS) March 23, 2025
23 March 2025
Rwanda welcomes M23's announcement on the repositioning of its forces from Walikale in support of peace initiatives underway, as well as DRC's announcement that all offensive operations by FARDC and Wazalendo will be halted. pic.twitter.com/pZMUI8mQTG
They also urged pro-government local militia to do the same “to encourage de-escalation”.
On Sunday, Walikale residents and a Congolese military source reported no violence in the area surrounding the town, which has been frequently targeted by the Congolese air force in recent days.
“We woke up to calm. There were no bombardments this morning. The M23 are still here,” one resident told AFP on condition of anonymity.
A medical source, who also requested anonymity, stated that there had been no shelling by Congolese jets and that the M23 “are still with us”.
One soldier characterized the situation as “calm,” but could not confirm whether the armed group had withdrawn.
Representatives from the Kinshasa government and the M23 were scheduled to meet directly on March 18 in Luanda, the capital of neighboring Angola, but the meeting was canceled at the last minute.
[WATCH] Editor of the ProtectionWeb, Ricardo Tey shey ra, believes that the decision by M23 Rebels to withdraw from Walikale in DRC is a strategic move not a gesture of peace. #NewsNight #DStv403 #QuestionThinkAct
— eNCA (@eNCA) March 23, 2025
Security sector pic.twitter.com/YS025oxZil
On the same day, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame “reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire” following a surprise meeting in Doha hosted by Qatar.
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On the ground, however, violence has persisted. The M23 seized control of Walikale on Wednesday evening.
The town is situated at the intersection of two routes going to Goma and Bukavu, which the group conquered in late January and mid-February following a lightning onslaught.
Goma and Bukavu are the main cities of North and South Kivu provinces, located in the mineral-rich east, which has been plagued by conflict for decades.
Walikale is near gold reserves and the Bisie tin mine, the world’s third-largest in terms of production, which has been shut down since mid-March.
KINSHASA: M23 Remains In Eastern DRC Despite Announcing Withdrawal
