Walikale Territory

Walikale Territory
Territory
Map
Map
Walikale on a map of North Kivu Province
North Kivu on a map of DR Congo
North Kivu on a map of DR Congo
Country DR Congo
ProvinceNorth Kivu
Time zoneUTC+2 (CAT)

Walikale Territory is a territory located within the Congolese province of North Kivu, in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The headquarters are in the town of Walikale. The locality is situated between Bukavu and Lubutu (Maniema Province) on DR Congo National Road No. 3 in the valley of the river Lowa, 135 km to the west of Goma.[1]

Walikale is rich in cassiterite, which is refined elsewhere into tin. As of 2008, Walikale's cassiterite resources were largely controlled by warlords empowered by the ongoing Kivu conflict. Specifically, the renegade FARDC 85th Brigade, under Colonel Samy Matumo, controlled the mine at Bisie up to early 2009, when it was replaced by "accelerated integration" FARDC elements.[2]

The FDLR is continuing its activities in the territory, with May 2009 attacks in Busurungi, in the area bordering South Kivu.[3] Busurungi has around 7,000 inhabitants, spread between the villages of Bunyamisimbwa, Busurungi, Kahunju, Kamaito, Kamanyola, Kasebunga, Katokoro, Kitchanga, Kifuruka, Bukumbirwa, Kilambo, Kitemera, Moka, Ndaboye, Nyamimba, and Tuonane.[4]

  1. ^ RUNGE, J. (1996). "Palaeoenvironmental Interpretation of Geomorphological and Pedological Studies in the Rain Forest "Core-Areas" of Eastern Zaire (Central Africa)". South African Geographical Journal. 78 (2). Informa UK Limited: 91–97. Bibcode:1996SAfGJ..78...91R. doi:10.1080/03736245.1996.9713613. ISSN 0373-6245.
  2. ^ Polgreen, Lydia (16 November 2008). "Congo's Riches, Looted by Renegade Troops". New York Times. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  3. ^ MONUC, MONUC condemns the attack in Busurungi and despatches a joint protection team
  4. ^ S/2009/603 (French version), 23 November 2009, footnote 4 at page 87.