Rebels from the Alliance of the Congo River (AFC/M23) have made a significant announcement, declaring their withdrawal from Walikale-center and its surroundings in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This decision comes just three days after the rebels seized control of this strategic city.
In a statement released on Saturday, the movement, reportedly backed by Rwanda according to Kinshasa and the United Nations, stated that their repositioning is aimed at creating favorable conditions for peace initiatives and political dialogue addressing the root causes of the conflict. The AFC/M23 specifically references a unilateral ceasefire declared on February 22nd.
The armed group urges community leaders and the entire population of Walikale to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and protection of civilians and their property during this period of good faith. However, they caution that any attack by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) on their positions or on populations in the areas they control will result in an immediate cancellation of their withdrawal decision.
Despite the announcement, local sources reported that as of 2 PM local time, AFC/M23 fighters were still present in the city. Armed elements were visible in four out of the six districts of Walikale-center, despite the declared withdrawal. In the morning, new airstrikes by the Congolese army targeted the Kigoma aerodrome, according to these sources.
Walikale-center, the capital of a territory rich in mineral resources, fell to the AFC/M23 on Wednesday night after clashes allowed the rebels to bypass FARDC defense lines, particularly through the villages of Ngora and Mubanda. Violent clashes erupted on Friday in the city between the rebels and militia known as “wazalendo,” causing a new day of panic. Local sources reported that the fighting lasted for about four hours, from 3 PM to 6 PM local time.
The situation remained unstable on Saturday. After a relatively calm morning, the Congolese army carried out two airstrikes targeting the Kigoma aerodrome and a bridge over the Lowa River. These strikes followed a mysterious landing earlier in the day at the aerodrome, the origin, destination, and cargo of which remain unknown. The previous day, the Kigoma aerodrome had already been targeted by drone strikes and Congolese military aviation, as the FARDC suspected it housed an AFC/M23 garrison.
On the diplomatic front, regional efforts are ongoing. Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Friday a virtual meeting scheduled for next week between the leaders of the two regional blocs, the EAC and the SADC, to enhance coordination in response to the security crisis in the eastern DRC. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa will also participate in these discussions.