Rwanda-Backed Rebels Capture Strategic Town in Eastern Congo Despite Ceasefire Call

M23 rebels' advance into Walikale highlights challenges in enforcing the ceasefire agreed upon by Rwanda and DRC leaders during Qatar-mediated talks.

M23 rebels, reportedly supported by Rwanda, seized the mineral-rich town of Walikale on March 19, defying a ceasefire agreement announced just a day earlier.
The capture of Walikale disrupts a critical road linking four provinces in eastern Congo, further weakening the Congolese army's position in the region.
The Qatar-mediated talks between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi resulted in a joint call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, but no clear enforcement mechanism was established.
The conflict has displaced over 700,000 people since January 2025, exacerbating one of the world's largest humanitarian crises with reports of widespread violence and human rights abuses.
International sanctions imposed on Rwandan officials and M23 leaders have strained peace efforts, with the rebels withdrawing from earlier Angola-based negotiations citing the sanctions as a key factor.