Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Intense US efforts are being made to resolve differences, such as the issue of the Israeli presence on Mount Hermon and in southern Syria
Israeli media: The security agreement means amending the disengagement agreement, which will also address the Druze issue
Israeli media: Attempts to reach a security agreement between 'Israel' and Syria were among the topics discussed at the Paris meeting
Israeli media: Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif rejected a US proposal to join the recent tripartite meeting between Tom Barrack, al-Shaibani, and Dermer
Saba News Agency: Two martyred, five injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli aggression on the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: We observed a state of confusion among the enemy's aircraft squadron after Yemeni air defenses intercepted the attack
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: The Yemeni air defense forces succeeded in neutralizing a squadron of enemy aircraft and prevented airstrikes on some governorates
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: Our air defenses and missile forces forced a formation of enemy aircraft to flee the airspace
Member of the Ansar Allah Political Bureau, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti: The Israeli aggression on Yemen will not deter us from continuing to support Gaza, no matter the sacrifices
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Israeli aggression targeted the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street, southwest of the capital, Sanaa, with several raids

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels push deeper into Congo despite ceasefire call

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 19 Mar 2025 22:21
3 Min Read

The M23 rebel movement has pushed into Walikale, home to 15,000 people and extremely rich in minerals, particularly tin.

Listen
  • x
  • Former members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and police officers who allegedly surrendered to M23 rebels arrive in Goma, Congo, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP)
    Former members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and police officers who allegedly surrendered to M23 rebels arrive in Goma, Congo, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 (AP)

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advanced further into Congolese territory late Wednesday, reaching the outskirts of Walikale just a day after the presidents of Congo and Rwanda called for an immediate ceasefire, residents told Reuters.

Gunfire erupted near the Nyabangi neighborhood, according to local resident Janvier Kabutwa. An army source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the rebels launched a surprise attack on an army position outside the town, battling Congolese soldiers and pro-government groups.

Walikale, a mineral-rich town known for its tin deposits, marks the farthest west M23 has reached in its rapid offensive this year. Home to around 15,000 people, the town is located approximately 125 km northwest of Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which the rebels seized in January. The latest advance puts M23 within 400 km of Kisangani, Congo’s fourth-largest city.

The escalating violence has already disrupted mining operations, with Alphamin Resources suspending production at its Bisie tin mine, 60 km northwest of Walikale, due to security concerns.

Read more: Bukavu hospital patients shot in chaos of Congolese withdrawal

Related News

DR Congo army blames M23 for attacks amid ceasefire

M23 rebels sign ceasefire with DRC government

The conflict has drawn increased diplomatic attention, as neighboring countries and global powers scramble to prevent a full-scale regional crisis reminiscent of the 1998-2003 war, which involved multiple nations.

On Tuesday, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame met in Qatar for their first direct talks since M23 intensified its offensive in January.

Alongside Qatari officials, they issued a joint statement calling for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire. However, the rebel group’s continued westward push raises doubts over the viability of the truce. 

Later, the M23 rebel movement announced its withdrawal from planned negotiations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government, citing international sanctions as a key obstacle to dialogue.

Despite initially sending a delegation, M23 released a statement through its spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, expressing frustration over what it described as external interference. The group accused certain international bodies of deliberately hindering peace efforts and making negotiations unfeasible.

"Successive sanctions imposed on our members … severely undermine direct dialogue and make any progress impossible … Under these circumstances, the talks have become impracticable. Consequently, our organization can no longer continue to participate in the discussions," the statement read.

🚨 COMMUNIQUÉ OFFICIEL 🚨

L’#AFC/#M23 dénonce les sanctions injustes et les attaques indiscriminées du régime de Kinshasa, compromettant le dialogue de paix.
Face à cette escalade, la tenue des pourparlers devient impossible. pic.twitter.com/APXquj3Pim

— AFC-Alliance Fleuve Congo (@afcongo) March 17, 2025

  • M23 rebels
  • Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Congo
  • Rwanda

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)

Hamas, other factions accept Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 18 Aug 2025
Palestine will not be liberated by UN reports, but by pursuing a different strategic horizon: one that does not beg for recognition. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Economy of Genocide: Albanese's report accuses, but doesn't dismantle system

  • Opinion
  • 18 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS