M23 rebels to withdraw from Walikale for peace

M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have announced they will withdraw from the town of Walikale. This decision supports a ceasefire declared in February and ongoing peace efforts. The Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 group, stated they plan to reposition their forces away from Walikale and surrounding areas. This move comes after the rebels took control of the town earlier this week. The DRC government hopes the rebels will follow through on this withdrawal, especially after M23 recently canceled talks with the government due to EU sanctions on some of their leaders and Rwandan officials. These talks were intended to be the first direct engagement since President Felix Tshisekedi changed his stance on negotiating with the rebels. A senior member of the alliance mentioned that the withdrawal aims to promote peace but did not disclose the new locations for the M23 fighters. They emphasized the need for Walikale and its surroundings to remain demilitarized to avoid further conflict. DRC’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, noted the importance of M23’s commitment to dialogue and peace. The situation remains uncertain, and she stated they will monitor whether the withdrawal translates into concrete actions. Walikale is significant as it is the furthest west the M23 rebels have advanced, bringing them closer to key locations in eastern DRC. The capture of Walikale puts rebels within 400 kilometers of Kisangani, one of the country's largest cities.