M23 rebels have captured Bukavu, DR Congo’s second-largest city, amid escalating violence and displacement. The Congolese government has urged residents to stay home as chaos ensues, including looting and a prison break. The situation raises international concerns about potential regional conflict and humanitarian crises.
The Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have taken control of Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), seizing the regional governor’s office. Upon entering the city, some residents lined the streets, applauding the fighters, marking the second significant city captured in recent weeks, following Goma. The Congolese government has acknowledged the situation, advising citizens to remain indoors to avoid confrontation with the occupying forces.
As the conflict escalates, local organizations and the European Union have expressed concern that the ongoing offensive could lead to a wider regional conflict, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced. Residents report a tense atmosphere, with fears prevailing among those who venture outdoors. A local resident noted, “Since yesterday the children and the youth took the weapons. They are shooting everywhere in all directions, they are looting,” indicating a breakdown of security within the city.
The M23 rebels seized the main airport located a short distance from Bukavu and progressed towards the city without significant resistance. Congolese troops reportedly withdrew to prevent urban combat, resulting in widespread chaos, including a prison break at the central facility. The United Nations’ World Food Programme reported that a warehouse containing approximately 7,000 tonnes of food was looted during the turmoil.
Bukavu, a city of about two million people on the shore of Lake Kivu, is critical for mineral trade and borders Rwanda. Its capture signifies a remarkable territorial expansion for M23 since their latest insurgency began in late 2021. The situation is a substantial setback for President Félix Tshisekedi’s government, which has accused Rwanda of perpetrating dilapidation in the region to exploit its natural resources — a claim that the Rwandan government refutes.
President Tshisekedi has called for sanctions against Rwandan President Paul Kagame due to the unrest, while Kagame has downplayed such threats, emphasizing Rwanda’s priority of maintaining security amidst perceived threats from Congolese-based rebel factions. Tensions remain high as regional security is at risk, with fears of the conflict spilling over into a broader regional war.
M23 commanders have interacted with the local populace, urging government forces to surrender and attributing local chaos to the Congolese military’s actions. The African Union is concerned about the unfolding events and has called for the disarmament of the M23 rebels, underscoring that there is significant anxiety regarding a potential regional conflict.
In summary, the M23 rebels’ takeover of Bukavu in eastern DR Congo signals a troubling escalation in the ongoing conflict fueled by regional tensions. The situation remains volatile, with significant humanitarian implications as residents face violence and displacement. International actors have raised alarms about the risk of broader instability in the region, while local authorities grapple with the consequences of this unprecedented territorial loss to armed groups supported by neighboring Rwanda.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
