Ceasefire in Eastern Congo faces collapse as M23 rebels defy withdrawal

The fragile ceasefire in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is at risk of unraveling as M23 rebels remain in the key town of Walikale, defying an agreement to withdraw.

The town, which the rebels seized last week, had briefly raised hopes for a breakthrough in the long-running conflict in the region.

However, reports suggest that despite initial pledges, the ceasefire has quickly deteriorated, raising doubts over the future of diplomatic efforts to end the violence.

As reported by Reuters, the conflict in eastern Congo, rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and a fight for control of mineral-rich territories, has led to the rise of rebel factions, including M23.

Thousands have died, and the region has faced the constant threat of a broader regional war. The capture of Walikale by M23 marked a significant escalation in the rebel group’s offensive, extending their control in the region.

Less than two days after the ceasefire was announced, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka expressed his frustrations on social media, accusing the Congolese army of failing to keep its promises.

Kanyuka specifically pointed to the continued presence of attack drones in Walikale, which he claims hindered the repositioning of rebel forces and endangered the fragile ceasefire.

"This situation delays the repositioning of AFC/M23 forces in the zone," Kanyuka wrote on X. "It should be noted that this act constitutes a major obstacle to respecting the ceasefire and thus compromises peace initiatives underway."

Residents of Walikale corroborated the M23's claims, stating that rebel fighters remained in the town.

One anonymous resident said, "They haven't moved. They are still visible in the centre of town." This development undermines the hope that Walikale could serve as a starting point for a broader peace agreement in the region.

Reuters reports that Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have been repeatedly unsuccessful.

A recent attempt to bring the Congolese government and M23 rebels to the negotiation table was thwarted after M23 pulled out of talks in Angola, protesting the European Union's sanctions against its leaders and Rwandan officials.

Angola had been playing a key role in facilitating peace talks, but on Monday, the government announced it would step back from the mediation efforts.

The African Union, led by Angola’s President Joao Lourenco, expressed its frustration with the situation, suggesting that another African country would take over the peace initiative.

The diplomatic crisis escalated further when, during a surprise meeting arranged by Qatar's emir, Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame voiced their support for an immediate ceasefire.

However, M23 rejected the calls, asserting that they were not bound by the agreements made between the two leaders.

Meanwhile, Congo, the United Nations, and several Western countries continue to accuse Rwanda of supporting M23, claiming that the Tutsi-led group receives arms and military assistance from Rwanda, an allegation that Rwanda vehemently denies.

In a statement, Qatar welcomed the progress made over the weekend, calling it a "significant positive step toward achieving stability and peace in the region."

However, with the ceasefire teetering on the edge of collapse, the possibility of a lasting resolution to the conflict remains uncertain.