The clashes, which lasted throughout the day on Monday, resulted in the rebels seizing the town's centre by nightfall.

Walikale, located about 200km from Goma, the capital of North Kivu, had previously seen less conflict compared to other regions. However, it has now become a major battleground. Local sources confirm that the violence forced many residents to flee, with some heading to Kisangani, a city located over 440km away.

Humanitarian organisations operating in the region have paused their activities due to the escalating security risks. Civil society groups in Walikale have reported that the situation remains tense, with many locals uncertain about what to do next as the conflict continues to spread.

The recent developments come just days after the presidents of Rwanda and the DRC met in Doha, Qatar, where they agreed to a ceasefire in an effort to end the hostilities. Despite this, reports from the ground suggest that the ceasefire is not being observed, with fighting continuing in Walikale and other parts of the region, including areas around Beni and Lubeo.

In a brief interview, M23 Spokesperson Dr Oscar Balinda stated that the group had not originally planned to capture Walikale but was forced to respond after clashes with the Armed Forces of the DRC intensified. The situation remains fluid, and tensions are likely to rise as both sides continue to accuse each other of breaking the ceasefire agreement.

--ChannelAfrica--