Rwanda-backed rebels have stormed Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo, marking an unprecedented escalation in the decades-long Congo conflict. Witnesses reported rebels entering the city center with minimal resistance, triggering mass displacement and looting. Analysts warn this move signals a shift from ethnic disputes to a direct bid for political power.
Associated Press journalists observed M23 fighters patrolling Bukavu’s administrative offices on Sunday, cheered by some residents. However, vast areas remained deserted as Congolese forces retreated. This advance follows the rebels’ capture of Goma last month, expanding their control 63 miles southward. The United Nations estimates Rwanda has deployed 4,000 troops to aid M23—a claim Rwanda denies.
Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi convened emergency talks in Kinshasa, insisting Bukavu remains under government control despite rebel presence.
Bukavu was briefly invaded by M23 but is secured by our army and local allies,the presidency declared on X. However, residents reported no visible military resistance.
The conflict’s roots trace to ethnic tensions between Congolese Tutsis and Hutus, worsened by the 1994 Rwandan genocide. M23 claims to protect Tutsis, while Rwanda alleges Congo enables Hutu militias linked to the genocide.
We’re defending Bukavu’s people,stated Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the Congo River Alliance, a rebel coalition.
Regional implications intensify as Burundi and South Africa deploy troops to support Congo. However, Burundi’s president dismissed retaliation plans, urging restraint. Over 1.3 million Bukavu residents now face uncertainty, with aid groups warning of worsening humanitarian conditions.
Key factors driving the crisis:
- Rwanda’s alleged military backing of M23
- Decades of ethnic strife and resource competition
- Weak governance in eastern Congo
Experts caution the rebels’ bold territorial gains could destabilize Central Africa, echoing crises that claimed millions of lives since the 1990s.
