M23 Rebels Capture Bukavu: DR Congo on the Brink of Wider Conflict

M23 rebels backed by Rwanda have captured Bukavu, following Goma's fall, leading to fears of increased regional conflict. Amid chaos, the Congolese government called for residents to stay indoors as the situation deteriorates.

The city of Bukavu, located in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has become the latest target for the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group, which seized control without facing resistance on Sunday. With the occupation of the regional governor's office, Bukavu becomes the second major city to fall to the rebels in recent weeks, following Goma. Residents lined the streets, some cheering for the M23 fighters, hinting at a mixture of fear and relief due to the absence of local authorities.

The DRC government has confirmed the rebels' advancement and has urged citizens to remain indoors to avoid danger from the occupying forces. As the conflict escalates, the United Nations and various European countries have raised alarms over the potential for this outbreak of violence to ignite a larger regional war. A Bukavu resident, preferring to stay anonymous for safety reasons, mentioned fears surrounding gunfire and looting, describing a chaotic environment where local youths armed themselves.

On Friday, the M23 captured the main airport, signaling a slow but steady advance towards Bukavu, the capital of South-Kivu province. Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, the provincial governor, confirmed that the M23 had entered the city center while Congolese troops retreated to avoid urban clashes. Amid this power vacuum, alarming incidents, including a prison break and the looting of a warehouse containing nearly 7,000 tonnes of food, have been reported.

Bukavu, home to around two million residents, serves as a crucial hub for the mineral trade, and its loss marks a significant territorial gain for the M23 since their resurgence began in late 2021. Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya condemned Rwanda for its alleged territorial violations and human rights abuses, citing intentional chaos aimed at exploiting DRC's natural resources — claims that Rwanda continues to deny.

President Félix Tshisekedi has called for international sanctions against Rwandan President Paul Kagame due to his support for the rebels, yet Kagame has remained defiant, stressing Rwanda's focus on its own security issues, particularly regarding threats from the DRC-based FLDR rebel group, perceived as a risk to Rwanda's national stability.

As M23 forces consolidate their control, one of the commanders, Bernard Byamungu, was seen engaging with locals and challenging government troops to surrender. The African Union (AU) reiterated its demand for the M23 to disarm, emphasizing the collective concern over a potential outbreak of regional warfare.