M23 rebels have captured Bukavu, DRC’s second-largest city, with minimal resistance following their earlier capture of Goma. The Congolese government is monitoring the situation, emphasizing its commitment to restore order amid allegations of Rwandan involvement. Local residents express abandonment by authorities, fueling frustration against the government. The humanitarian crisis worsens with rising casualties and displacements.
M23 rebels have successfully seized Bukavu, the second-largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following an attack launched by the Rwanda-backed militia. The Congolese government confirmed the occupation, with the communications ministry stating that the situation is being monitored due to the apparent involvement of the Rwandan army. Efforts are underway to restore order, security, and territorial integrity.
Upon entering Bukavu, which is the capital of South Kivu province, the M23 fighters faced minimal resistance. This capture followed their earlier conquest of Goma, the capital of North Kivu. Local residents expressed feelings of abandonment by government authorities during the attack. One resident lamented, “Is the government waiting for them to take over other towns to take action? It’s cowardice.”
In a display of claimed authority, M23 leader Bernard Byamungu addressed the people gathered outside the governor’s office, pledging to reform the existing disorder by declaring, “We are going to clean up the disorder left over from the old regime.” M23, alongside a vast number of other armed groups, asserts its mission is to protect Congolese Tutsi interests against Hutu rebel factions, which have historical ties to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Accusations against Rwanda for supporting the M23 group have been leveled by the DRC, the United States, and other nations, though the Rwandan government denies such claims. Reports from UN experts indicate that the Rwandan army maintains “de facto control” over M23. The Burundian military had been assisting the Congolese forces in defending Bukavu, marking M23’s territorial expansion as unprecedented since its reemergence in 2022.
As the conflict escalates significantly, the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC has also worsened, resulting in substantial loss of life and widespread displacements. Nearly 3,000 individuals have perished in the conflict for Goma, coupled with a pressing humanitarian emergency impacting close to 350,000 internally displaced persons, as per UN data.
The Congo River Alliance, which includes M23, has pledged to protect the residents of Bukavu, urging local inhabitants to maintain control and avoid panic. In response to the turmoil, the DRC government has called for the populace to remain indoors to minimize risk from the occupying forces. The communications ministry expressed the need for citizens to prioritize their safety as the situation evolves.
The M23 militia’s capture of Bukavu represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. Accusations of foreign support, particularly from Rwanda, continue to intensify tensions while local leaders express frustration with government inaction. The international community continues to monitor the developments closely, as the DRC government urges calm among its citizens.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
