M23 Rebels Withdraw From Walikale, Support Peace Efforts

The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have announced their decision to withdraw forces from the town of Walikale, a move aimed at supporting ongoing peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This reversal comes after the group previously indicated they would maintain a presence there while advancing towards the capital, Kinshasa. The Congolese government expressed hope that this announcement would lead to concrete actions, especially after M23's recent withdrawal from planned peace talks amid EU sanctions. The Congo River Alliance, to which M23 belongs, stated that this repositioning aligns with a ceasefire declared in February. However, skepticism remains among army officers regarding the sincerity of this withdrawal, with some suggesting that M23 may continue its advances in the region. DRC's Foreign Affairs Minister emphasized the importance of monitoring M23's commitment to dialogue and peace in the coming days.