M23 rebels have entered Bukavu, eastern DRC’s second-largest city, amidst a surge in conflict with government forces. They have taken control of portions of the city and claimed responsibility for capturing a second airport, raising humanitarian concerns for 350,000 internally displaced persons. The Congolese government has designated M23 as a terrorist organization and accused Rwanda of providing support to the rebels, which Rwanda disputes.
On Friday, M23 rebels advanced into Bukavu, the second-largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, amidst intensified conflict with government forces. Local leaders reported that the rebels entered the Kazingu and Bagira zones and were making their way toward the heart of Bukavu, a city housing approximately 1.3 million residents. Reports indicated gunfire in various parts of the city, raising tensions among the population.
Social media shared videos showing the rebels marching toward the Bagira district, with onlookers expressing alarm regarding their numbers. Earlier that day, M23 claimed responsibility for seizing a second airport in the region, enhancing their control amid ongoing skirmishes. The United Nations highlighted that this latest escalation has left 350,000 internally displaced persons without adequate shelter, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the area.
According to local sources, M23 surrounded Kavumu national airport, leading to sightings of frightened soldiers fleeing as the violence intensified. The Associated Press was unable to verify which faction was in control of the airport, approximately 30 kilometers from Bukavu. The strategic importance of Kavumu airport grew after M23 captured Goma and its international airport in late January, further destabilizing the region critical for humanitarian assistance.
Lawrence Kanyuka, a spokesperson for M23, stated on X that the rebel group had taken control of Kavumu airport to mitigate threats to civilians. Government officials criticized the rebel group for breaching a ceasefire encouraged by regional leaders and accused them of imposing an urban conflict while the Congolese military sought to limit bloodshed in Bukavu.
The situation in eastern DRC remains dire as tensions escalate between the M23 rebels and the Congolese government, which has branded M23 a terrorist organization. While the United Nations and the United States categorize the M23 as an armed rebel group, the Congolese government alleges Rwandan support for the group, a claim that Rwanda denies, instead accusing Kinshasa of harboring ties with the FDLR, an armed group linked to historical atrocities in Rwanda.
Continued military operations have resulted in significant humanitarian challenges, with many civilians displaced and vulnerable. Analysts caution that persistent instability threatens to exacerbate regional conflicts, noting that peacekeepers from the Southern African Development Community have already sustained casualties since the upsurge in hostilities.
The advancing M23 rebels into Bukavu signify a dangerous escalation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, leading to heightened tensions, significant civilian distress, and potential regional fallout. The conflict raises critical humanitarian concerns, particularly regarding the welfare of internally displaced persons. Alarming accusations and geopolitical dynamics underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to address the ongoing crisis and restore stability to the region.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
