Overview

• The M23 rebels, who recently captured the key town of Walikale, have announced plans to withdraw as part of peace efforts, though doubts remain about their intentions.
• Walikale's capture marked the furthest westward advance by the group, positioning them within 400 kilometers of Kisangani, a major city in the DRC.
• The conflict has displaced over 100,000 people in less than three months, exacerbating a growing humanitarian crisis in the region.
• The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 militarily, a claim Rwanda denies, citing self-defense against Congolese-backed militias as justification for its actions.
• Diplomatic efforts, including recent talks in Qatar and Angola, have faced setbacks, with M23 pulling out of negotiations and ongoing mistrust between involved parties.