M23 Rebels Retreat from Walikale as DR Congo Crisis Deepens

Following a unilateral truce announced on February 22, and to bolster peace initiatives designed to create favorable conditions for political discourse and address the underlying issues driving conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) insurgency stated on Saturday, March 22 that it "has decided to relocate its forces away from the town of Walikale" in North Kivu Province, which they took over on March 19.
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Walikale, located approximately 130 kilometers northwest of Goma—the provincial capital—was seized by the insurgents on January 27. This marked one of their furthest advances toward western territories since starting their swift march forward early this year. For years, Walikale served as a strong hold for the FDLR—a terror outfit based in the DRC formed in mid-2000 by individuals connected to the architects behind the 1994 Rwandan Genocide targeting ethnic Tutsis.
COMMUNIQUÉ OFFICIEL DE L’ALLIANCE FLEUVE CONGO (AFC/M23) DU 22 MARS 2025
pic.twitter.com/ZUFj6iZWir — Lawrence KANYUKA (@LawrenceKanyuka)
Despite integrating the group's combatants into state military units, particularly within the special presidential guards unit, authorities continue downplaying the serious risk presented by the genocidal faction responsible for chaos throughout both the nation and broader Great Lakes area due to its deadly extremist agenda.
"We urge residents of Walikale along with local leaderships to implement appropriate steps ensuring safety and safeguarding lives alongside properties amidst these transitions," states part of a message published online via social media platform X by spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka. He added that AFC/M23 persists dedicated towards achieving lasting resolutions through nonviolent channels while reaffirming commitments protecting people together with territorial claims intact."
Reversal Warning Issued Against Provocations
Any provocations or fresh assaults launched against civilians residing inside reclaimed zones attributed either directly or indirectly to armed factions aligned with governmental coalitions—including foreign mercenaries hailing primarily from Europe, elements affiliated with Rwandan extermination groups, domestic splinter organizations like Wazalendo, sizable contingents dispatched from neighboring Burundi, multinational Southern Africa Development Community taskforces headed by South Africans coupled with United Nations blue helmets—are cautioned; such actions would result automatically nullifying current concessions granted thus far.
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