Overview

• The M23 rebel group has seized Walikale, marking its furthest westward advance and securing a key road linking four provinces in eastern Congo.
• Angola has stepped down as mediator in the Congo conflict to focus on its African Union presidency, citing frustration with stalled peace efforts.
• Regional blocs from Southern and Eastern Africa have appointed five former heads of state to lead new mediation efforts, aiming to replace Angola's role.
• The M23 rebels continue to reject peace talks that exclude their direct involvement, citing grievances tied to the root causes of the conflict.
• The humanitarian crisis worsens as the violence, rooted in historical tensions and competition for mineral resources, raises fears of broader regional instability.