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
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.
Qatari PM: We must not surrender to the arrogance of extremists and pursue our quest for a 'two-state solution'

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

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Elon Musk attends a news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

Elon Musk calls for dissolving UK parliament at London far-right rally

Israeli media: US betrayed Qatar, gave green light for attack on Hamas
Politics

Israeli media: US betrayed Qatar, gave green light for attack on Hamas

Leaked memo shows Trump eyeing Louisiana National Guard plan
Politics

Leaked memo shows Trump eyeing Louisiana National Guard plan

Mamdani vows to arrest Netanyahu if elected New York mayor
Politics

Mamdani vows to arrest Netanyahu if elected New York mayor

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