Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have seized control of Bukavu, the second-largest city in the region. This marks the second major city to fall to the rebels in just a few weeks, following the fall of Goma. The capture of Bukavu, located in the mineral-rich South Kivu province, is an unprecedented expansion of M23’s territory since its resurgence in late 2021.
As the rebels entered Bukavu, they captured key government institutions, including the regional governor’s office. Residents of the city, which is home to around two million people, witnessed a chaotic scene, with many lining the streets to cheer the advancing fighters. Some locals, unsure whether they were supporting the M23 out of fear or due to the absence of authorities, described how gunfire echoed through the city, and local youth had taken up arms.
The M23’s progress was swift, with the rebels capturing Bukavu’s main airport on Friday before advancing to the city center by Sunday morning. Congolese troops withdrew from Bukavu, hoping to avoid urban conflict. This left a power vacuum in the city, exacerbating an already volatile situation, which included a prison break and widespread looting. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reported the looting of a warehouse containing nearly 7,000 tonnes of food, further compounding the crisis.
The violence has displaced hundreds of thousands, raising concerns of a broader regional war. The M23 rebels, made up of ethnic Tutsi fighters, accuse the Congolese government of harboring the Hutu-dominated FDLR rebel group, which Rwanda views as a threat due to its involvement in the 1994 genocide. Rwanda denies its military is involved in the conflict, but the DRC government has strongly condemned Kigali’s actions, accusing it of violating Congolese sovereignty for the sake of exploiting natural resources in the region.
The international community has expressed alarm over the worsening situation. The African Union (AU) has urged the M23 to disarm, fearing the conflict could escalate into a wider regional war. President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC has called for sanctions against Rwanda, but President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has dismissed these threats, reiterating that Rwanda’s primary concern is its security.
As the M23 rebels tighten their grip on Bukavu, the situation remains fluid, and the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict that threatens to destabilize the region even further.
