Dr Congo Conflict Escalates with M23 Rebels' Advance
The M23 rebels' capture of Bukavu has raised fears of the country's possible break-up, with hundreds of thousands of people already forced from their homes. The conflict has also sparked a humanitarian crisis, with the UN and other organizations working to provide aid to those affected.
The M23 rebels, backed by Rwandan troops, have taken control of Bukavu, the second-largest city in the Democratic Republic of Congo, after Congolese forces withdrew to avoid urban fighting, leaving a security vacuum and sparking fears of a wider regional war.
The capture of Bukavu marks an unprecedented expansion of territory for the M23 rebels since their latest insurgency began in late 2021. The city's regional governor confirmed that Congolese troops had withdrawn, allowing the rebels to enter the city without resistance. The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of violating its territorial integrity and sowing chaos in the region for its own gain, with President Felix Tshisekedi calling for sanctions against his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame.
The M23 rebels have been accused of human rights abuses and looting, including the theft of a UN food warehouse containing nearly 7,000 tonnes of food. The African Union has urged the M23 to disarm and warned of an open regional war, while the UN and other countries have also urged de-escalation. The conflict has lasted over three years, with Kinshasa accusing Rwanda of seeking to control the region's mineral resources and land.
The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains volatile, with gunfire still being heard in the city and some residents looting abandoned military equipment. The international community is concerned that the conflict could spread to other parts of the region, potentially leading to a wider regional war, and is calling for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of M23 and Rwandan troops from the region.
