Goma (Congo): Rwanda-backed M23 rebels entered the strategic town of Walikale in eastern Congo late Wednesday, according to residents and civil society leaders, a day after the Congolese and Rwandan presidents called for an immediate ceasefire.
“The information is confirmed: the rebels are visible at the monument and at the Bakusu group office,” Prince Kihangi, a former provincial deputy elected for the Walikale territory told The Associated Press over the phone, referring to locations in the centre of Walikale. “This confirms the presence of the M23 in the territorial capital.” By taking control of Walikale, the M23 rebels seized a road linking four provinces in the east of the country: North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Maniema, cutting off Congolese army’s positions.
Heavy artillery fire could be heard throughout the day but ceased in the evening, giving way to sporadic gunfire, Fiston Misona, a civil society activist in Walikale, told the AP over the phone.
“Our Congolese army is no longer fighting,” he said. “It’s as if we were being sacrificed.”
There was no immediate comment from the M23 or the Congolese government.
The escalation in fighting comes a day after the presidents of Congo and Rwanda held unexpected talks in Qatar and called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
The meeting followed a failed attempt to bring Congo’s government and M23 leaders together for ceasefire negotiations on Tuesday. The rebels pulled out Monday after the European Union announced sanctions on rebel leaders.
The Congo conflict worsened as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized Goma and Bukavu. With 7 million displaced, U.N. probes atrocities. Rebels near key tin and gold mines, forcing Alphamin to halt operations.