Congo rebels leave strategic town ahead of planned Doha talks

4/4/2025 16:49

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have withdrawn from the strategic town of Walikale, describing the move as a goodwill gesture ahead of planned peace talks with the government next week.



M23 has seized eastern Congo's two largest cities in a swift advance since January that has resulted in thousands of deaths and forced hundreds of thousands more from their homes.



The fighting has raised fears of a wider regional war, as Congo's neighbours Uganda and Burundi also have troops in the region.



Congo's government and M23 plan to hold their first direct talks in Doha on April 9, sources from both camps told Reuters this week.



Situated along a road linking four eastern Congo provinces, Walikale is in an area rich in minerals including tin.



M23 pledged to withdraw from Walikale last month but initially failed to do so, accusing the Congolese army of going back on its own commitments and not withdrawing attack drones.