M23 Rebels Enter Bukavu City In DR Congo

Posted by: lukwago J in African News February 15, 2025

In a surprising turn of events, the M23 rebels have made their way into Bukavu, the second-largest city in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the Congo River Alliance comprising M23 rebels, confirmed to Reuters that the rebels had entered the South Kivu provincial capital on Friday evening with plans to advance further on Saturday.

Despite widespread international calls for a ceasefire and a return to peace talks, the Rwandan-backed militants have continued their progress, causing turmoil and displacing hundreds of thousands of residents from their homes in recent weeks.

The M23, led by Tutsi forces and supported by Rwanda, had previously captured Goma, the primary city in the resource-rich eastern region.

The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of instigating chaos in the area to exploit its resources, an allegation that Rwanda vehemently denies.

New phase of conflict

The capture of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, by the M23 rebels signifies a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the region.

This city, strategically located on the border with Rwanda and serving as a crucial hub for local mineral trade, holds immense importance in the current situation.

Reports of heavy clashes on the outskirts of Bukavu and distressing incidents, such as the discovery of 70 bodies tied up in a church in the village of Mayba, shed light on the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

As tensions rise, DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi has called for sanctions against Rwanda, accusing the neighboring country of having ulterior motives and exploiting the Congo’s resources.

The international community is urged to address the complex web of interests and conflicts at play in the region.

Amidst these developments, African heads of state are set to convene at an African Union summit in Ethiopia, with calls for a ceasefire and diplomatic solutions to the crisis.

The need for unity and concerted efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region is paramount as the situation continues to unfold.

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