Rwanda-backed rebels from the M23 group have stated their intention to “restore security” in Bukavu, a major city in eastern DRC, after seizing control on Sunday, Al Jazeera reports.
This marks the second significant city captured by the M23 since late last month, raising concerns about escalating regional conflict.
Residents of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, cautiously returned to the streets on Monday following the M23’s takeover, which occurred with minimal resistance from the Congolese army. Thousands of civilians have fled to neighboring Burundi, while some residents remaining in Bukavu reportedly welcomed the M23 fighters.
In a radio address on Monday, a rebel alliance, including the M23, pledged to assist the “abandoned” population of Bukavu, referencing the Congolese army’s retreat. The M23, also known as the March 23 Movement, has been gaining ground in eastern DRC since re-arming in late 2021.
The capture of Bukavu, a commercial hub of 1.3 million people, represents a significant blow to the authority of the Kinshasa government and has heightened fears of a broader regional war. The M23’s advance into South Kivu follows their control of Goma, the capital of neighboring North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda, last month. The United Nations estimates that fighting between the M23 and the Congolese army in Goma resulted in thousands of deaths.
Erasto Bahati Musanga, the rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu, announced the reopening of ports in Bukavu and Goma on Tuesday. Navigation on Lake Kivu, a major African lake, had been restricted since late January due to the rebel offensive on Goma.
While large-scale violence was avoided during the takeover of Bukavu, the city’s streets were littered with debris from looting, with reports of residents taking advantage of the chaos to raid humanitarian warehouses, shops, and the local brewery.
The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Monday that approximately 7,000 tonnes of humanitarian food supplies were stolen during the weekend. The WFP condemned the attack on its Bukavu warehouses via X, stating that the looted food supplies “were meant to provide vital support to the most vulnerable families who now face a growing humanitarian crisis.” The agency urged all parties involved in the conflict “to respect their obligations vis-à-vis international humanitarian law,” including the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers.
Despite the looting, economic activity was gradually resuming in Bukavu, with traders returning to their stalls in local markets, though customer traffic remained light.
The M23 is a major player among the over 100 armed groups vying for control of eastern Congo’s vast mineral resources. UN experts estimate that the rebels are supported by some 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda. The Rwandan government has consistently denied allegations from the DRC, the UN, and Western powers that it provides arms and troops to the M23.
