M23 Rebels’ Strategic Advance into Bukavu: A Growing Concern for DRC

M23 rebels have entered Bukavu, the DRC’s second largest city, following their capture of Goma. The Congolese government confirmed their presence but did not state that the entire city was under their control. The rebels’ advance has raised international concerns about territorial integrity and human rights violations, with calls for an end to hostilities and renewed peace dialogue.

In a significant development, M23 rebels have entered Bukavu, the second largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following a swift advance in the region. The governor of South Kivu province, Jean-Jacques Purusi, confirmed this escalation, noting that Congolese troops had strategically withdrawn to prevent urban conflict.

The M23 group’s takeover of Bukavu represents a critical expansion of their territorial control since the onset of their rebellion in 2022, which began with the seizure of Goma, the region’s largest city, in late January. While the Congolese government acknowledged the rebels’ presence, it did not confirm that they had taken full control of Bukavu.

In an official statement, the Congolese government accused Rwanda of pursuing aggressive strategies to occupy and exploit DRC territory while committing human rights violations. Reports from security sources and eyewitnesses corroborated the presence of M23 rebels in the city as their spokesperson declared, “We are there.”

Local reports indicated that the situation in Bukavu changed from chaos to a semblance of stability, despite earlier incidents of looting and civilian panic. The M23’s senior commander was reportedly active in the city, assuring residents of the new order following the DRC army’s retreat.

Prior to entering Bukavu, the rebels successfully took control of Kavumu Airport, overcoming minimal resistance. This airport served as the last major military checkpoint before their arrival in the densely populated city of over one million residents. Meanwhile, discussions concerning the conflict in the DRC have been prominent at an African Union summit in Ethiopia.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need to avoid regional escalation and preserve the DRC’s territorial integrity, citing the rebel’s entry into Bukavu as a breach of sovereignty. A spokesperson from the United Kingdom Foreign Office called for an immediate withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese soil and urged for a return to peace negotiations.

The entry of M23 rebels into Bukavu marks a precarious escalation in the DRC’s ongoing conflict, officially recognized by local authorities. The situation remains fluid as the M23 gains control, with both national and international calls for the cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomatic discussions. The conflict underscores the pressing humanitarian crisis, further exacerbating the plight of millions affected by the tensions in the region.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com