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 locality is situated between Bukavu and Lubutu (Maniema Province) on DR Congo National Road No. 2 in the valley of the river Lowa, 135 km to the west of Goma.
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,[1] up to early 2009, when it was replaced by 'accelerated integration' FARDC elements.
The FDLR is continuing its activities in the territory, with May 2009 attacks in Busurungi, in the area bordering South Kivu.[2] Busurungi has around 7,000 inhabitants, spread between the villages of Busurungi, Moka, Nyamimba, Kichanga, Katokoro, Kifuruka, Bunyamisimbwa, Kilambo, Ndaboye, Kahunju, Tuonane, Kamanyola, Kamaito, Kasebunga and Kitemera.[3]
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The territory is divided into 2 collectivities: Bakano (4238 km²) and Wanianga (19,237 km²), and comprises 15 'groupements' totalling 90 localites. Walikale is the largest territory in the province of Nord-Kivu, with 39.46 % of its surface.[4]
Many armed groupings, often former Interahamwe or the militias of Laurent Nkunda, control the forests and have forced a significant proportion of the population into urban settlements. These armed groups often inflict robbery and violence on the local people, as well as engage in hunting and poaching of nominally-protected species.
The territory is composed of various terrestrial and fresh water eco-regions. There are transition forests in the north-east, and wet tropical forests and farmed land in the south-east and from Gilbertiodendron and Uapaca to the western edge of the province.[4]
The principal peoples of the territory are:
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