The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) rebel coalition claims to have advanced into Bukavu, causing looting and unrest. Following their reported takeover of Goma, the AFC’s control has raised alarms among residents about security and territorial conflicts. International concerns regarding Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict persist as the DRC grapples with significant armed rebellion.
A rebel coalition known as the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), including the M23 armed group, claims to have advanced into Bukavu, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s second-largest city. Locals reported incidents of looting and the presence of fighters in the streets. The AFC asserted their control over Kavumu airport in South Kivu, causing government forces to retreat, though the extent of the rebels’ advance remains unclear and unconfirmed by the government.
The swift movement into Bukavu follows less than three weeks after the rebels reportedly took control of Goma, the largest city in neighboring North Kivu province. Fighting in Goma led to over 3,000 fatalities, according to government sources. The DRC government and several Western nations accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 group, comprised largely of ethnic Tutsis who previously left the Congolese army.
Since 2022, the M23 has resumed hostilities, asserting the rights of the minority Rwandophone communities, including Tutsis, while seizing control of resource-rich areas within eastern DRC. The AFC’s latest territorial gains include key regions such as Nyabibwe and Rubaya, noted for their substantial deposits of coltan, essential in smartphone manufacturing. Despite calls for a ceasefire from various international leaders, the rebels remain determined to expand their territory.
Victor Tesongo, an AFC spokesperson, emphasized that the capture of these cities represents the group’s most significant territorial acquisition to date. Collectively, Bukavu and Goma are home to over three million inhabitants. Government representatives indicated that the military retreated from Bukavu after the airport’s seizure, while reports emerged of M23 fighters being sighted in the vicinity, although no direct confrontations occurred.
Local residents reported widespread looting attributed to fleeing soldiers and civilians, raising concerns about security. One individual observed, “We have no security,” as looters vandalized depots and warehouses across the city, indicating the dire situation on the ground.
The situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remains precarious as the Alliance Fleuve Congo rebel coalition claims significant territorial advances, including Bukavu and Goma. While government forces have retreated amidst reports of looting and unrest, the conflict continues to raise humanitarian concerns. The ongoing instability, alongside external accusations against Rwanda for support of the M23, underscores the complexities of the region’s security dynamics, demanding urgent international attention.
Original Source: edition.cnn.com
