M23 Rebels Announce Withdrawal from Walikale to Support Peace Efforts

The Rwanda-backed group’s decision follows accusations of ceasefire violations and skepticism over their commitment to peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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.