Such facts do not capture its full significance, however. That the Congo River has long been viewed as far more than its mighty discharge—an average of nearly 1.5 million cubic feet per second ...

Efforts to achieve a ceasefire collapsed last week after the rebels pulled out from talks being facilitated by Angola.

The Congo River Alliance, which includes M23, said in a statement on Saturday that it had "decided to reposition its forces" from Walikale and surrounding areas that M23 took control of this week.