M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have announced they will withdraw their forces from the town of Walikale in eastern Congo, a move they say supports ongoing peace initiatives.
The group, which has been advancing through the region, previously indicated their intention to leave troops in Walikale as they moved towards the capital, Kinshasa.
The Congolese government has expressed hope that this announcement will be followed by concrete action, particularly after the M23 rebels unexpectedly pulled out of planned talks with the Congolese authorities earlier this week.
The talks were called off due to EU sanctions imposed on some of the M23 leadership and Rwandan officials.
Withdrawal and Ceasefire Commitment
The M23-led Congo River Alliance stated in a press release that it had decided to “reposition its forces” from Walikale and the surrounding areas that were recently captured by the rebels.
This move, according to the group, aligns with the ceasefire declared in February and is meant to bolster peace efforts in the region.
However, the announcement has been met with scepticism from both local military officers and Congolese officials.
A senior member of the alliance explained that the withdrawal was part of an effort to “give peace a chance,” although they declined to specify where the forces would be repositioned.
The alliance has requested that Walikale and its surroundings remain demilitarised, warning that any return of the Congolese army (FARDC) and its allies would signal the resumption of hostilities.
Congolese Foreign Affairs Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner expressed cautious optimism, telling reporters that the government would observe whether the M23 rebels would indeed follow through with the withdrawal and prioritise dialogue over further conflict.
“We hope this will be translated into concrete action,” she said.
Military Uncertainty
The situation on the ground remains fluid. While Congo’s army has not yet commented officially on the announcement, some military officers have voiced doubt about the sincerity of the M23’s withdrawal.
One officer suggested that the rebels would likely advance towards Mubi, another town in the region, after the Congolese army and pro-government militias launched airstrikes on Walikale’s airport and severed some of the M23’s access routes.
“They now have a provision problem,” said the officer, who spoke anonymously.
“They will not withdraw, they will move in front of (Walikale) and behind it.” A M23 officer had previously told Walikale residents that a small group of soldiers would remain in the town to provide security, while others would continue advancing toward Kinshasa.
Walikale is the furthest west the M23 rebels have reached in their offensive, which has seen them overrun some of the largest cities in eastern Congo since January.
Its capture brought the rebels within 400 km (250 miles) of Kisangani, Congo’s fourth-largest city, and approximately 1,500 km (930 miles) from the capital.
Regional Conflict and Diplomatic Stalemate
The M23 offensive is deeply rooted in the long-standing tensions between Rwanda and Congo, dating back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the competition for the region’s mineral wealth.
Despite several failed ceasefire attempts and regional summits aimed at resolving the conflict, fighting continues to escalate.
Both Congo and the United Nations, along with Western governments, have accused Rwanda of providing support to the M23 rebels, including arms and troops.
Rwanda denies these allegations, maintaining that its military actions are in self-defence against militias in Congo that are linked to the perpetrators of the genocide.
On Friday, M23 leader Corneille Naanga rejected a joint call for an immediate ceasefire from both Congo and Rwanda. He reiterated that direct negotiations with the Congolese government were the only viable solution to the crisis.
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