Wazalendo Fighters Push M23 Rebels Out of Key Towns in Eastern DRC

Wazalendo fighters have taken control of Walikale-Centre in North Kivu and Nyangazi-Centre in South Kivu after strong battles against M23 rebels. This happened without any help from the national army, the FARDC. The operation comes just days before planned peace talks in Doha on April 9.

According to beto.cd, the M23 rebels, backed by Rwandan forces, left Walikale on Wednesday morning after heavy fighting. The battles started around 9 a.m. near the Belgian side of town and lasted for several hours. Wazalendo forces pushed the rebels out of key areas and later took full control of Walikale-Centre, including the town's airstrip.

In the nearby Masisi region, more fighting was reported in Kanii and close to Masisi-Centre parish, but no official report on casualties has been released yet.

READ ALSO | Masisi Residents Hide in Homes as M23 and Wazalendo Clash Again

Meanwhile, in South Kivu, the Wazalendo also announced they have taken over Nyangazi-Centre, showing that their military campaign is gaining strength across multiple fronts.

The Wazalendo group has made it clear they do not support any peace talks with M23. They say their mission is to bring back government control to areas still held by rebels.

READ ALSO | M23 Rebels Accused of Killing Local Leader Mr Baeni Safari in Masisi

These latest events come just before the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to meet with M23 in Doha to try and end the conflict peacefully. But on the ground, violence is growing, and ordinary people continue to suffer from years of war and instability.

Stay with XTRAfrica for more updates on peace efforts and developments in the Great Lakes region