AFC/M23 captures Walikale

By The Inspirer

The AFC/M23 coalition captured the city of Walikale in the North Kivu Province on the evening of Wednesday, March 19, 2025, after fighting, as reported by Radio Okapi.

However, reports indicate that there was some light gunfire in the city before M23 took control.

The fighting comes at a time when a ceasefire agreement was reached between DR Congo and Rwanda, with both countries claiming no connection to the M23 group.

President Tshisekedi recently discussed the situation with his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, in Doha, Qatar, looking for ways to halt the fighting in Eastern Congo.

The M23 rebels took control of Walikale after members of this coalition were sanctioned by the European Union, which led to the suspension of peace talks between them and the government.

AFC/M23 argues that the international sanctions imposed on its senior leaders are aimed at sabotaging peace talks between DRC and the group, and they claim that this supports President Tshisekedi’s continued war effort in the eastern part of his country.

AFC/M23 has not commented on the capture of Walikale, and the government of DR Congo has also remained silent on the takeover.