Congo M23 rebels to reposition forces from seized town, rebel alliance says
Walikale is the farthest west the rebels have reached in an advance that has already overrun eastern Congo's two largest cities since January.
M23 rebels staging an offensive in east Congo will reposition their forces from the town of Walikale, which they took control of this week, in support of peace efforts, a rebel alliance that includes M23 said on Saturday.
Walikale is the farthest west the rebels have reached in an advance that has already overrun eastern Congo's two largest cities since January.
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There have been several attempts to resolve the spiralling conflict, rooted in the fallout from Rwanda's 1994 genocide and competition for mineral riches, including several ceasefires that were violated and regional summits to open up dialogue.
The rebel alliance said in a statement posted on X that it had "decided to reposition its forces" from Walikale and surrounding areas.
This decision was in line with a ceasefire declared in February and in support of peace initiatives, it said.
A senior member of the alliance who did not wish to be named said repositioning meant withdrawing to "give peace a chance". The source declined to comment on where M23 rebels would withdraw.
Congo's army did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Congo army official said he was sceptical about the announced withdrawal. Another official said M23 was advancing towards another town in Walikale territory.
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