Congo: Rebels push into ‘strategic town’

Rwanda-backed rebels captured another town in Congo after battling the army in what appears a U-turn after both presidents called for a ceasefire, according to AP News.

According to residents and civil society leaders, the rebels entered the town of Walikale late on March 19th. A statement on March 20th said they had “liberated” the town.

An umbrella group of insurgents, including the M23 rebels, said in a statement that they were committed to a ceasefire but that they entered Walikale to protect the population against what they alleged were attacks by the Congo army.

Taking Walikale gives the rebels control of a road linking four provinces in eastern Congo — North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Maniema — and effectively cutting off Congolese army 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 reporters over the phone.

“Our Congolese army is no longer fighting… It’s as if we were being sacrificed.”

The statement accused Congolese armed forces of “indiscriminately” bombing “heavily populated areas,” and said they had “no choice but to rescue our compatriots.”

Congo River Alliance said, “We confirm that the town of Walikale, the capital of the Walikale territory, has been liberated by our forces to protect the population and their property”.

The group said it would uphold a ceasefire, but that “in the event of provocation or attacks against civilians, our forces will respond professionally” in accordance with international law.

There was no immediate comment from the Congolese government.

The U.N. Human Rights Council last month launched a commission to investigate atrocities, including allegations of rape and killing akin to “summary executions” by both sides.

Doctors Without Borders said its base in Walikale “was caught in the crossfire, with bullets hitting some of our facilities and vehicles” on the 19th.

The decades-long conflict in eastern Congo escalated in January when the M23 rebels advanced and seized the strategic city of Goma, followed by the town of Bukavu in February.

The latest fighting came after the presidents of Congo and Rwanda held unexpected talks in Qatar on the 19th 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, with the rebels pulling out after the European Union announced sanctions on rebel leaders.

AP News