M23 rebels defy Qatar ceasefire, capture strategic mining town in Eastern DRC

The M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has continued its offensive, defying a ceasefire agreement signed by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Despite international calls for an immediate halt to hostilities, M23 forces captured the strategic town of Walikale on Wednesday (19 March), a key area rich in mineral resources, including tin and gold. This marks the farthest west the rebels have advanced since their resurgence in 2022. Corneille Nangaa, head of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which includes M23, dismissed the ceasefire as irrelevant, asserting that it did not address the group’s grievances. “We are Congolese who are fighting for a cause,” Nangaa told the media, vowing to continue the fight until their demands are met. His forces’ swift gains, including the seizure of key towns like Goma and Bukavu, underscore the growing power of the M23, which has increasingly operated with backing from Rwanda, a claim Kigali denies.
The town of Walikale, located approximately 400 km from Kisangani, now lies under M23 control, and thousands of residents have fled, seeking refuge in neighboring provinces. The conflict, fueled by competition over mineral wealth and ethnic tensions, has already displaced tens of thousands and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. Despite efforts by neighboring countries and the international community to mediate peace, the situation remains volatile, with M23 demanding direct negotiations with Kinshasa to resolve their grievances.