M23 Rebels Advance on Bukavu Amid Escalating Conflict in DR Congo

With rapid gains through the region, M23 rebels are threatening Bukavu, forcing mass evacuations and provoking international concerns, especially about Rwanda's role in the conflict.

M23 rebels are tightening their grip on important locales in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), now setting their sights on Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. This development comes as fighting escalates dramatically in the eastern part of the country, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents.

Despite widespread international appeals for peace and a ceasefire, the insurgents launched their offensive after previously capturing Goma, the main city in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, last month. The Tutsi-led M23, which receives support from neighboring Rwanda, has been accused by the Congolese government of destabilizing the area for its own gain, a claim that Rwanda vehemently denies.

As of Friday, reports indicate that M23 fighters had already gained control of the airport situated roughly 30 kilometers north of Bukavu, while the Congolese army and their allied militia retreated with little resistance. Observers note heavy clashes occurring on the outskirts of the city, prompting local authorities to instruct residents to stay indoors for their safety.

In a statement at the Munich Security Conference, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi called for sanctions against Rwanda, which he accused of expansionism and interference in Congolese affairs, including the exploitation of its resources. Meanwhile, Rwandan President Paul Kagame emphasized his country's need for security, asserting that Rwanda is threatened by Hutu rebels based in DRC and downplaying the likelihood of sanctions against his nation.

As tensions mount, African Union (AU) leaders are set to convene in Ethiopia for a summit discussing the crisis in Eastern Congo, with officials calling for a ceasefire amidst the ongoing military confrontations. The AU Commission's head, Moussa Faki Mahamat, stressed that military actions will not address the root issues at play, reflecting a growing momentum for peace negotiations within the continent.