M23 Rebels Capture Walikale in Eastern Congo, Prompting $5M Reward for Leaders Amid 7,000 Deaths

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Updated Mar 12, 2025, 04:42 AM

The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has intensified its advance in eastern Congo, capturing the strategic town of Walikale in North Kivu province. This move is significant as Walikale hosts industrial mines that generate millions in tax revenue for the Congolese government. The advance has led to a setback in Congo's response to the mpox outbreak, as hospitals in the region struggle to continue operations amidst the conflict. The conflict has escalated with the defection of government-allied armed groups to the M23, highlighting the disorganization within the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) army. The M23's actions have displaced hundreds of thousands of people and led to the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools in Goma and Bukavu, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. Over 7,000 people have been killed in the fighting since January. In response to the M23's advance, the DRC government has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of key M23 leaders, including Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, and Sultani Makenga. The escalation of violence has also prompted international concern, with the UN and the US accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23, though Rwanda denies these allegations. The M23 is one of more than 200 armed groups operating in the region.

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#Rwanda #Congo #Walikale #North Kivu #Congolese #Democratic Republic of Congo #DRC #M23 #Goma #Bukavu #Corneille Nangaa #Bertrand Bisimwa #Sultani Makenga #UN #US

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Sources

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Mario Nawfal

@MarioNawfal

🇷🇼 PRESIDENT KAGAME: RWANDA WAS EMPTIED—IT WAS PART OF THEIR STRATEGY "We had nearly three million people flee into Eastern Congo and another 600,000 to 800,000 into Tanzania. The whole country was emptied—and that was part of their strategy. It was like, ‘If we are defeated,… https://t.co/30RYDu66Wy https://t.co/SVDXRzcI4R

Jacobin

@jacobin

European countries are stepping up military aid and economic investment in Rwanda, said to be an ally in keeping order in the region. The reality: Rwanda’s authoritarian government is massively destabilizing eastern Congo by backing rebel forces. https://t.co/AUahI6Lcdy