M23 rebels have captured Bukavu, a key city in the DRC, with support from Rwandan forces in a continuation of escalating conflict in the Kivu region. The DRC government accuses Rwanda of violating ceasefire agreements and calls for international sanctions due to alleged military aggression aimed at exploiting the country’s mineral wealth. Meanwhile, widespread chaos and looting have followed the rebels’ entry into the city, reflecting a severe humanitarian crisis and power vacuum.
Reports indicate that M23 rebels, supported by Rwandan forces, have seized the crucial western city of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to governmental sources, this marks the second significant city captured in the strategically valuable Kivu region within a span of three weeks. Following this event, the DRC government expressed grave concerns, reporting that Rwandan troops and their M23 allies had entered the city, prompting local authorities to urge residents to remain indoors.
The government of the DRC declared that it is striving to restore order and defend its territorial integrity, while also accusing Rwanda of undermining international ceasefire efforts. It specifically referenced the resolutions made during last week’s regional summit in Tanzania, convened by the East African Community and South African Development Community, to address the ongoing conflict. The Ministry of Communication vocalized that Rwanda is violating these resolutions and engaging in acts of aggression against DRC territory.
M23 spokesman Willy Ngoma confirmed the rebels’ presence in Bukavu. Reports from The New York Times detailed the absence of resistance when the rebels entered, resulting in a power vacuum that encouraged rampant looting by gangs in the city of approximately two million residents. One eyewitness described chaotic scenes filled with gunfire from individuals brandishing abandoned weapons in the streets, highlighting uncertainty regarding the public’s feelings towards the rebels’ arrival.
The United Nations (U.N.) World Food Programme reported looting of a warehouse containing 7,000 tons of food, contributing to the unfolding humanitarian crisis. Additionally, reports surfaced about inmates breaking free from the main prison during the unrest. Amid this instability, an African Union summit recently amplified the calls for the M23 rebels to disarm, as tensions in the Kivu region escalated rapidly.
The Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23, declared a unilateral cease-fire on February 4, labeling the ongoing humanitarian crisis as a product of the DRC government’s actions. President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC has urged the international community to impose sanctions against Rwanda’s Tutsi-led government, accusing it of inciting violence to exploit the DRC’s extensive mineral resources, including cobalt, gold, and copper—critical elements in electric vehicle battery production.
The DRC stands as the world’s foremost cobalt producer, accounting for over two-thirds of global output, with an impressive reported production of 130,000 tons in 2022, as per the U.S. International Trade Administration.
In summary, the recent capture of Bukavu by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels highlights the ongoing turmoil in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The DRC government continues to face significant challenges in restoring order and safeguarding its territorial integrity amid growing international calls for disarmament of the M23. The international community monitoring the situation emphasizes the urgency of diplomatic resolutions and the need for sanctions against foreign intervention to protect vital mineral resources.
Original Source: www.upi.com
