M23 Rebels Seize Walikale: A Shift in Eastern DRC's Conflict

The M23 rebels have captured Walikale, a crucial mining hub in North Kivu, despite calls for a ceasefire from both Congolese and Rwandan leaders. This strategic victory disrupts military positions and enhances M23's reach, now alarmingly close to Kisangani.

With significant deposits of tin and gold, Walikale's resources are vital amid ongoing conflict, which has claimed over 7,000 lives and displaced countless others since its roots in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The rebels, asserting to protect minority interests, previously seized Goma and are advancing towards Bukavu.

Planned negotiations in Angola faltered as M23 withdrew, highlighting the complexities of the region's instability and the illicit trade in minerals, valued at approximately $1 billion annually.