In a major escalation of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, M23 rebels have entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in the eastern region. The rebel incursion marks a significant turning point in the long-standing crisis, raising serious concerns over regional stability, humanitarian impact, and the involvement of external actors. The latest development follows weeks of intense fighting, during which the Rwandan-backed militants captured several strategic towns, including the provincial capital of North Kivu, Goma.
On Friday evening, Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance—a coalition that includes the M23 rebels—confirmed to Reuters that the armed group had successfully advanced into Bukavu. Residents reported heightened rebel activity in the Kazingu and Bagira zones, with fighters seen moving toward the city center. The capture of Bukavu, a key transit point for mineral trade in the South Kivu province, signals an expansion of the conflict beyond the traditional strongholds of M23.
Earlier in the day, the rebels had taken control of Kavumu airport, approximately 30 kilometers north of Bukavu, as Congolese army forces and allied militias withdrew without significant resistance. South Kivu’s deputy governor, Jean Elekano, reported that intense clashes had occurred on the city’s outskirts before the rebels entered, leading to growing fears of a prolonged confrontation. However, in many areas, the Congolese forces appeared outmatched, retreating from strategic positions, leaving civilians vulnerable to the advancing militants.
The takeover has already triggered a humanitarian crisis. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes as the violence escalates. The United Nations estimates that the conflict has resulted in the displacement of more than 350,000 individuals in the past month alone. In a tragic turn of events, local reports indicate that 70 bodies were discovered in a church in the northern village of Mayba, many of them tied up, suggesting execution-style killings. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic State-linked militant group, has been blamed for the massacre, though independent verification remains pending.
The rapid advance of M23 forces comes despite repeated calls for a ceasefire from the international community. African leaders, including the African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, have urged an immediate cessation of hostilities. However, diplomatic efforts to broker peace have been hampered by deep-seated tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. President Félix Tshisekedi has repeatedly accused Rwanda of providing direct military support to M23, an allegation Kigali has strongly denied. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Tshisekedi called for international sanctions against Rwanda, stating that his country would no longer tolerate the looting of its resources by foreign-backed groups. He condemned what he described as Rwanda’s “expansionist ambitions” and warned that the ongoing instability in eastern Congo threatened the entire region.
Rwanda, under President Paul Kagame, has dismissed the accusations, insisting that Kigali’s primary concern is security. Kagame has pointed to the presence of Hutu rebels in eastern DRC, whom he claims pose a threat to Rwandan stability. His government has also rejected the possibility of economic sanctions, asserting that any attempts to pressure Rwanda would fail. Meanwhile, diplomatic engagements between the two nations have yielded little progress, with both sides remaining firm in their positions.
The capture of Bukavu marks a significant moment in the history of M23, a rebel group with deep ties to past conflicts in the Great Lakes region. The group, primarily composed of Tutsi fighters, first emerged over a decade ago and briefly seized control of Goma in 2012 before being pushed back by Congolese forces and a United Nations intervention brigade. Their resurgence in recent years has reignited fears of a prolonged war that could further destabilize the DRC and spill over into neighboring countries.
The latest developments come as African heads of state are set to meet at the African Union summit in Ethiopia. The escalating crisis in eastern Congo is expected to dominate discussions, with growing pressure on regional leaders to take decisive action. However, with military campaigns continuing on the ground and diplomatic negotiations stalled, the path to peace remains uncertain.
The people of Bukavu now find themselves in the middle of a conflict that shows no signs of abating. As rebel forces consolidate their hold on the city, fears of further displacement and violence loom large. The crisis in eastern DRC is no longer just a local conflict—it has become a regional issue with global implications. The coming days will be critical in determining whether international efforts can prevent the situation from spiraling further out of control or if the region will descend into another cycle of prolonged war and suffering.
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