Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have taken control of Bukavu on February 16, the second-largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking another significant victory in their ongoing insurgency.
The M23 seized the regional governor’s office without resistance, with some local residents even cheering as the fighters entered the city. This is the second major city, after Goma, to fall into rebel hands within the past few weeks. The Congolese government has urged residents to remain indoors to avoid potential violence from the occupying forces.
As the rebels advanced, they encountered little opposition, with Congolese forces reportedly withdrawing to avoid urban conflict. The capture of Bukavu, which is an important hub for the region’s mineral trade, follows the earlier takeover of the city’s main airport. This marks a significant expansion for the M23 since their resurgence in late 2021. However, the city’s fall has been accompanied by chaos, including reports of looting and even a prison break. The UN World Food Programme also confirmed that nearly 7,000 tonnes of food were stolen from a local warehouse, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The unfolding situation has raised alarms, with the UN and European nations warning of the risk of a broader regional conflict. DRC has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels to gain access to the country’s natural resources, an allegation that Kigali has consistently denied. Meanwhile, President Félix Tshisekedi has called for sanctions against Rwanda, while President Paul Kagame maintains that his country’s actions are motivated by security concerns, particularly regarding the FDLR rebel group, which has been a source of tension between the two nations for years.