The M23 has announced its takeover of Walikale, citing security concerns, the exploitation of the region’s vast mineral wealth by foreign corporations, and the suffering of local communities as justification for its actions.
In an official communiqué, the rebel group accused the Kinshasa government of escalating the conflict, ignoring international peace resolutions, and allowing the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) to carry out indiscriminate attacks on civilians.
The AFC/M23 claims it was forced to act after two weeks of heavy bombardment by FARDC forces, which allegedly used Sukhoi-25 fighter jets and CH-4 combat drones to target populated areas.
The takeover of Walikale, an administrative center in eastern DRC, is also framed as a strategic move to dismantle what AFC/M23 describes as a long-standing stronghold of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia composed largely of individuals responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis.
According to the rebels, the Kinshasa government has allowed the FDLR to operate freely in the region, leading to the continued persecution of certain ethnic communities.
Walikale is one of the most mineral-rich territories in the DRC, particularly known for its tin and gold deposits. Despite its wealth, local communities remain underdeveloped, with no basic infrastructure or services.
A prime example is the Canadian mining company Alphamines, which operates one of the world’s largest tin mining sites in Walikale. The company controls 80% of the mine, while the Congolese government holds a mere 5%. And 14.5% belongs to South Africans. The 0.5% apparently belongs to surrounding communities, but this has been going into the pockets of the warlords and government soldiers.
Despite generating around $300 million annually, the profits do not benefit the local population, which continues to suffer from extreme poverty and instability.
For years, eight tribes in Walikale have endured hardship due to ongoing conflict, economic exploitation, and targeted violence. These communities, long marginalized, have faced displacement, insecurity, and the destruction of their livelihoods.
The AFC/M23 claims that its intervention is aimed at protecting these populations from FARDC bombings, FDLR attacks, and foreign exploitation of local resources.
Despite reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire, the AFC/M23 warns that any further provocation or attacks on civilians will be met with force, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.
The takeover of Walikale marks a significant shift in the conflict, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation as well as renewed debate over the role of foreign mining interests and their impact on local communities.