DRC- Despite spirited efforts to have a dialogue between Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, the M23 rebels have captured the strategic mineral rich town of Walikale in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The United Nations Radio Okapi reported tgat the rebels took over the mining hub in North Kivu province without a fight, but the Congolese Government Army FARDC have not immediately respond about the situation on the ground.
Security sources in the area confirmed the seizure of the city and the government forces are reported to have retreated to avoid human losses and the forces were now about 30km away in Mubi territorial area.
A Civil society activist in Walikale, Fiston Misona told journalists that the rebels are now visible in the centre of the Walikale city where at least seven people were wounded and are at the General hospital.
The seizure of Walikale Town marks the farthest west the group has advanced into the Democratic Republic of Congo interior since it first emerged in 2012.
The developments come a day after Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi Thilombo and his Rwandan counterpart, Gen Paul Kagame, called for an immediate ceasefire and an unconditional cessation of hostilities during talks in Doha, Qatar.
