The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern DR Congo, escalating tensions in the region despite ongoing calls for a ceasefire and peace talks.
M23 Advances as Bukavu Falls
Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 rebels, confirmed to Reuters that fighters entered the South Kivu provincial capital on Friday evening and would continue their advance on Saturday.
The latest developments follow last month’s seizure of Goma, the main city in the mineral-rich east, which further solidified M23’s control. The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of fueling instability in the region to exploit its resources—an allegation Kigali denies.
Strategic Importance of Bukavu
Bukavu, which sits on the southern tip of Lake Kivu, serves as a key transit hub for minerals. The city’s fall marks a significant shift in the ongoing conflict, raising fears of further territorial gains by M23.
Earlier on Friday, rebel fighters entered an airport 30km (19 miles) north of Bukavu as Congolese troops and allied militias withdrew with little resistance. However, reports suggest heavy clashes on Bukavu’s outskirts, according to South Kivu’s Deputy Governor Jean Elekano.
In a grim discovery, 70 bodies were found in a church in Mayba, a village further north. Local reports suggest that the victims were tied up, and blame has been directed at the ADF rebels, an Islamic State-linked group. However, the BBC has not independently verified these claims.
DR Congo’s President Accuses Rwanda at Munich Security Conference
At the Munich Security Conference, DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi renewed accusations against Rwanda, claiming it harbors “expansionist ambitions.”
“We will no longer put up with our strategic resources being plundered for the benefit of foreign interests under the complicit gaze of those who feed on chaos,” Tshisekedi declared.
The Congolese government has long accused Rwanda of deploying its own troops in eastern DR Congo—a claim Rwanda strongly denies.
Paul Kagame Responds to Accusations
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has dismissed these allegations, insisting that his priority is national security. He argues that Hutu rebels operating in DR Congo pose a threat to Rwanda, justifying his country’s military actions in the region.
Kagame also shrugged off threats of sanctions, reinforcing Rwanda’s stance amid mounting international pressure.
African Union Calls for Ceasefire
As the conflict escalates, African leaders are set to convene at an African Union (AU) summit in Ethiopia on Saturday. Moussa Faki Mahamat, head of the AU Commission, emphasized the urgency of a ceasefire, stating:
“Military campaigns are not going to solve these problems. There is a general mobilisation of Africa today on this issue, and I hope we will be able to impose this ceasefire.”
Conclusion: A Region on the Brink
With the fall of Bukavu and the continued M23 advance, eastern DR Congo faces one of its most critical security crises in years. As tensions with Rwanda escalate, international pressure is mounting for a negotiated peace settlement—but with conflicting interests and geopolitical rivalries at play, the road to stability remains uncertain.
