The M23 rebels have captured Bukavu, solidifying their control in eastern DRC, with reports of insecurity and looting amid the chaotic transition. Supported by Rwandan troops, the rebels contribute to a humanitarian crisis affecting millions. Protests in Goma call for the removal of U.N. forces and President Tshisekedi, highlighting local discontent.
M23 rebels have consolidated control over Bukavu, the second major city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, following their capture on Sunday. This city, with a population of 1.3 million, fell to the rebels after the retreat of Congolese forces. Bukavu is situated 101 kilometers south of Goma, another city overtaken by the rebels in late January.
The M23 group is notably the most prominent among over 100 armed factions vying for dominance in eastern Congo, which is rich in valuable mineral resources essential for global technology. U.N. experts estimate that approximately 4,000 soldiers from Rwanda are backing these rebels. The ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of more than six million people, exacerbating what is currently regarded as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
As the rebels advanced into Bukavu, many residents rushed to flee while looters took advantage of the chaos, stealing provisions such as flour. When the M23 entered the city, an uneasy silence enveloped the streets as citizens and shop owners prepared for the impending change in governance. On Monday morning, residents cautiously began to emerge, observing the rebels who patrolled the city’s key intersections.
Despite a gradual return of activity, many individuals remain fearful due to ongoing insecurity. “People are still scared to go out because of the insecurity so it’s not business as usual yet,” stated David Balezi, a local shopkeeper. Additionally, Bukavu’s border with Rwanda was closed early on Monday along with many shops, though traffic began to increase later in the day.
In a cautious expression of resilience, resident David Munyaga remarked, “Now we thank God that the situation is OK, even if we don’t know what’s coming. Whatever happens, we will live with it.” Furthermore, Erasto Bahati Musanga, the newly appointed governor by the rebels for North-Kivu province, announced that the ports of Goma and Bukavu would reopen on Tuesday, lifting the ban on navigation on Lake Kivu which had been in place since January.
In Goma, hundreds of demonstrators gathered to demand the expulsion of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO, alongside calls for the withdrawal of troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Protesters manifested in front of the MONUSCO headquarters, expressing their discontent with President Felix Tshisekedi. One protester, Bauma Sukali, voiced, “The war does not end in Congo, why? They have nothing to do here, they should leave.”
Another participant, Fiston Nsabimana, echoed this sentiment regarding the president’s inability to secure peace, stating, “Tshisekedi is not able to ensure peace. Let him leave power.” Such demonstrations reflect the growing unrest and dissatisfaction among the populace in the face of ongoing instability in the region.
The situation in eastern DRC remains perilous as M23 rebels tighten their control over significant urban centers like Bukavu and Goma. The local population contends with severe insecurity, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis arising from ongoing conflict. Calls for political change and the withdrawal of international peacekeeping forces illustrate the desperate circumstances confronting residents in these volatile regions.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
