Source: US News & World Report
“The leader of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo said on Thursday that a call by Kinshasa and Kigali for an immediate ceasefire ‘doesn’t concern us’ as his forces pushed deeper into Congolese territory by capturing the strategic town of Walikale. Walikale is the farthest west the rebels have reached after fighting on Wednesday with Democratic Republic of Congo’s army and allied militias. The town of about 15,000 people, is in an area rich in minerals including tin. Its capture leaves the rebels in control of a road linking four eastern Congo provinces and within 400 km (250 miles) of Kisangani, Congo’s fourth-biggest city. Three Walikale residents and two M23 sources said the rebels were in full control of the town. Congo’s army did not respond to requests for comment.” (03/20/25)