Congo M23 rebels say they will withdraw from seized town to support peace push

Conflict escalates between Rwandan-backed rebels and Congolese authorities

A Rwandan-backed rebel group is refusing to leave the Eastern Congo town of Walikale after previously agreeing to withdraw from the area as part of a so-called "peace gesture." A spokesperson for the group, known as M23, says the rebels backed out of the ceasefire because the Congolese army and allied militias did not remove their attack drones from the town. Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Stud…

M23 rebels say they withdraw forces to support peace push in DR Congo

In the Great Lakes region, hopes for a ceasefire in the strategic Congolese town of Walikale, seized by M23 rebels last week, briefly raised hopes of reviving stalled diplomatic efforts. Rwanda welcomed the move, reaffirming its commitment to a political solution. But the fragile truce appears to be unraveling, and mediation efforts are losing momentum … just as regional leaders prepare to meet to discuss the crisis.

DRC bishops face backlash over peace plan

Catholic and Protestant leaders are facing strong political headwinds as they promote a joint plan to secure long-term peace in the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo.French President Emmanuel Macron with representatives of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in the Congo (ECC) in Paris on March 19. Credit: @EmmanuelMacron at twitter.com.The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Chu…

Congo rebel leader says sanctions, any minerals deal with the US won’t stop fighting in the east

The leader of the rebels who captured two key cities in eastern Congo tells The Associated Press that international sanctions and Congo’s proposed minerals deal with the United States in search of peace will not stop the fighting.

M23 rebels say they will withdraw from seized DRC town Walikale to support peace push

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels staging an offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo said on Saturday they would withdraw forces from the seized town of Walikale in support of peace efforts, having previously said they were leaving troops there as they pushed on to the capital.

Congo-Kinshasa: Rwanda Welcomes De-Escalation Efforts in Eastern DR Congo

Rwanda has welcomed AFC/M23 rebels' announcement regarding the repositioning of its forces from Walikale in support of ongoing peace initiatives, as well as DR Congo's declaration that all offensive operations by FARDC and Wazalendo groups will be halted.