The Congolese army has confirmed the loss of Walikale to M23 fighters

Rebels from the M23 group have seized the strategic mining town of Walikale in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking their furthest westward advance in the ongoing conflict.

Nestor Mavudisa, spokesperson for the country's armed forces (FARDC), confirmed on Thursday that rebels had taken control of the territory, which lies approximately 400km (250 miles) from Kisangani, the DRC's fourth-largest city. Walikale, home to approximately 15,000 residents, is rich in minerals such as tin and gold.

The town fell on Wednesday after intense fighting between M23 forces and the Congolese army, along with allied militias. Local residents reported heavy artillery exchanges before the rebels took control. 

Since early 2025, at least 8,500 people, including children and peacekeepers, have been killed in escalating clashes between rebels and Congolese forces. The militants have captured key cities, including Goma and Bukavu.

Despite calls for an immediate ceasefire from Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame during talks in Qatar, the M23 has continued its offensive.

"We are Congolese who are fighting for a cause," Corneille Nangaa, head of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), told Reuters in Goma. "What happened in Doha, as long as we don't know the details, and as long as it doesn't solve our problems, we'll say it doesn't concern us." 

The Doha meeting came after M23 rebels pulled out of direct peace talks with the DRC government due to be held in Angola on Tuesday, following the EU's decision to impose sanctions on the group's leaders. Angola-mediated negotiations had already stalled in December when Rwanda insisted Kinshasa engage directly with M23.  

Tensions between Rwanda and the DRC remain high amid the conflict in the mineral-rich area, where armed groups, including M23, are battling for control. Kinshasa has accuses Kigali of backing the M23 - a claim supported by a UN expert panel - which Rwanda denies, stating its forces are only securing its borders.

Speaking with RT, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka argued that the key to ending the decades-long conflict is a sincere and direct political dialogue addressing the root causes of instability. 

READ MORE: DR Congo and Rwanda discuss ceasefire in first meeting

"What we want today is peace in the DRC," he emphasized. The spokesperson insisted that the movement is fighting to "liberate" the Congolese people from hate speech, xenophobia, corruption, and poor governance.