M23 Rebels Seize Control of Bukavu, Heightening DR Congo Crisis

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have taken control of Bukavu, the second-largest city in DR Congo, following their earlier capture of Goma. This situation has alarmed the international community, with warnings of potential regional conflict amidst rising violence and humanitarian crises faced by local residents. The Congolese government has acknowledged the security vacuum and urged citizens to remain home for safety.

The M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have taken control of Bukavu, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s second-largest city, securing the regional governor’s office. Residents greeted the rebels’ arrival with applause as they entered without facing any resistance. This marks the second significant territory gained by the M23 after Goma in recent weeks, further intensifying the ongoing conflict in a mineral-rich region plagued by violence.

Acknowledging the fall of Bukavu, the Congolese government urged citizens to remain indoors for their safety against the occupying forces. The United Nations and European nations have cautioned that this escalation could lead to a wider regional conflict, with hundreds of thousands already displaced. Local accounts reveal a climate of fear, with families reluctant to leave their homes amid reports of looting and gunfire.

After capturing a nearby airport, the M23 advanced towards Bukavu, the capital of South-Kivu province. Provincial officials confirmed that Congolese troops retreated to prevent urban warfare, creating a security vacuum in the city. Reports indicated a prison break as chaos ensued, and essential supplies, such as food, were looted from relief warehouses, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Bukavu, essential for the region’s mineral trade, is facing unprecedented territorial changes since the M23’s resurgence in late 2021, significantly impacting President Félix Tshisekedi’s government. Government officials accused Rwanda of infringing upon DR Congo’s sovereignty to exploit its natural resources. President Tshisekedi has expressed intentions for sanctions against Rwandan officials amid the continued unrest, while Rwandan President Paul Kagame has dismissed such threats as unfounded.

Tensions between Rwanda and DR Congo stem from the latter’s alleged inability to manage the FLDR rebel group, which poses a perceived threat to Rwandan security. The M23, led predominantly by Tutsi fighters, continues to mobilize and assert control within Bukavu. An M23 commander interacted with locals and urged government forces to surrender, asserting that the armed forces are exacerbating local tensions through their actions and arming civilians.

The African Union continues to call for disarmament of the M23 amidst rising alarms about the potential for broader regional conflict. The ongoing situation remains precarious, with increasing international concern regarding the stability of the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and its implications for surrounding countries.

The capture of Bukavu by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels signifies an alarming escalation in the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. With local populations enduring violence and displacement, international warnings about the potential for broader conflict intensify. The geopolitical implications of Rwanda’s involvement and DR Congo’s internal struggles continue to contribute to a complex crisis that poses challenges to regional stability.

Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk