Rwanda Applauds M23 Rebels' Exit from Walikale in Eastern Congo
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Synopsis
Rwanda has welcomed the M23 rebel group's withdrawal from Walikale and the Congolese government's de-escalation of hostilities in eastern DRC. This move aims to support peace initiatives and foster political dialogue to address the conflict's root causes.
Key Takeaways
- Rwanda supports M23's withdrawal from Walikale.
- The Congolese government is de-escalating hostilities.
- M23 aims to create conditions for peace talks.
- The DRC military urges self-defense forces to de-escalate.
- Rwanda is committed to regional peace initiatives.
Kigali, March 25 (NationPress) Rwanda has expressed its support for the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group's recent decision to withdraw from Walikale town, which they had captured earlier in the week. This move coincides with the Congolese government's initiative to reduce hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The Congo River Alliance, a political-military coalition that encompasses M23 rebels, declared on Saturday its intention to "reposition" its forces from Walikale and nearby areas. This action is aimed at bolstering peace efforts and establishing conditions that favor political dialogue to tackle the underlying issues of the conflict in eastern DRC.
In a corresponding response, the Congolese military urged local self-defense forces to de-escalate on the same day, highlighting the necessity of prioritizing peace negotiations and advancing the Luanda and Nairobi dialogue processes.
A statement from the Rwandan government's spokesperson remarked: "Rwanda welcomes M23's announcement regarding the repositioning of its forces from Walikale in support of ongoing peace initiatives, as well as the DRC's declaration to cease all offensive operations by FARDC (Congolese government forces) and Wazalendo (pro-government militia)."
"Rwanda is dedicated to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure compliance with commitments, especially within the framework of the joint EAC-SADC summit process and other initiatives that pave the way for a sustainable political and security resolution in the region," the statement further elaborated.
Since escalating its offensive last year, the M23 rebel group has taken control of significant territories in DRC's eastern North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
The DRC has accused Rwanda of backing the rebel group, a claim that Kigali refutes. Conversely, Rwanda has accused the DRC's military of collaborating with the Rwandan rebel group Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, which is alleged to have played a role in the 1994 genocide.
On Tuesday, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame called for a ceasefire during an unexpected meeting in Doha, Qatar, marking their first discussion since the M23 took control of the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu this year.
