A de facto ceasefire between Congolese forces and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the eastern town of Walikale collapsed on Monday, with the rebels retracting their pledge to withdraw. The rebels accused the army of failing to honour its commitments,

Rwanda-backed rebels battling Congo’s army have pushed into a strategic, mineral-rich town in the east, ignoring calls for a ceasefire this week by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents as the M23 rebel group expands its footprint in the conflict-torn African country.

A de facto ceasefire between Congolese forces and Rwandan-backed rebels in the eastern Congo town of Walikale appeared to have broken down on Monday, with the rebels going back on a pledge to withdraw and accusing the army of violating its own commitments.