** Title **: Walikale: a battle for control and an current humanitarian drama
** Subtitle **: clashes between AFC/m23 and FARDC propel the population to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
At the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Walikale region, already tested by recurring violence, again becomes the scene of violent clashes. This Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the town of MPOFI, located about 50 kilometers from Walikale, was the starting point for fierce battles between the rebel Movement AFC/M23 and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), supported by local armed groups such as the Wazalendo. The latter, often considered as local defense militias, participate in the defense of their territory, but also contribute to the complexity of conflicts that shake this region.
These fights, which intensify over the hours, reveal a scheme already known in the tumultuous history of the DRC. The clashes are not only the result of weapons, but also aspirations of the local populations taken in vice between the promise of effective governance and the reality of economic and social despair.
### The devastating trip of the trips
The figures of the displaced speaks of themselves: thousands of inhabitants flee their homes, mainly heading towards Lubutu and Kisangani. This massive displacement of populations poses a crucial question for local authorities and humanitarian agencies. According to UNHCR data (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), more than 5 million people are currently moved within the country, and this figure only increases with each stopover of violence.
The current crisis could increase these statistics at alarming levels. Precarious conditions in reception areas, mixing unsanitary shelters and lacking access to health care, widen even more inequalities and increase the risk of contagious diseases and famine. To date, only 30% of the displaced population has access to sufficient humanitarian aid, according to recent reports.
### A fight for control: geopolitical issues
The fights between the AFC/m23 and the FARDC are not only driven by a quest for territorial control, but also plunge their roots in a complex geopolitical context. The recent history of the DRC shows that ancient rivalries are reviving, and that natural resources, such as the precious minerals of the region, exacerbate these tensions.
The Coltan, an essential ore in the electronics industry, is in particular at the center of lusts. The locality of Walikale, rich in resources, is taken in the whirlwind of this exploitation. Reports from the NGO Global Witness suggest that around 70% of the world of Coltan could come from conflict areas like this, enriching both armed groups and further destabilizing the region.
### Voices of the population: a call for help
The stories of the inhabitants constitute a living table of endured sufferings. “We have lost everything,” said a resident of Walikale Center, “our houses, our livelihoods, and even our loved ones. We do not know where we are going to sleep this evening. “This cry of the heart highlights the reality of an unstable daily life, both for refugees and for those who choose to remain in the hope of a return to normality.
Field organizations are fighting to provide assistance and resources, but disorganization, corruption and bureaucratic ineffectiveness often hinder their efforts. In addition, attacks on humanitarian workers and lack of access to certain areas more complicate the situation.
### Conclusion: A call to action
It is obvious that violence in MPOFI is only a section of a broader humanitarian crisis, involving historical, economic and geopolitical dynamics. To stem this spiral of violence, an inclusive dialogue and concerted efforts both from governments and international actors are necessary. The humanitarian consequences of the war in Walikale underline the urgency of immediate and effective intervention.
The international community can no longer remain a spectator in the face of this current drama. Improvement of local governance and secure access to humanitarian aid is more crucial than ever. The situation in Walikale is a call for action which requires not only attention but also the mobilization of all those who care about the fate of this region and its people.
The light of hope can still shine through solidarity and commitment, but we must act now before the resonance of violence becomes our only reality.