M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, claim control of Kavumu airport in South Kivu, DRC, raising concerns about regional stability. The rebels have been advancing since capturing Goma earlier. The ongoing conflict has led to significant displacement and casualties, prompting DRC President Tshisekedi to seek international assistance.
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have announced the capture of Kavumu airport in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the take over of a strategically important location for the Congolese military. The announcement was made via social media by a spokesperson for the M23 rebels, asserting control over the airport and its vicinity. Reports indicate that the rebel forces are advancing towards Bukavu, the province’s second-largest city, leaving locals alarmed about the security situation.
This development follows a series of confrontations in the region, where the M23 rebels are one of numerous armed groups operating in the mineral-rich eastern areas of the DRC. The M23 had previously seized Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, in January, and have expressed intentions to advance towards Kinshasa, the capital. Although they declared a ceasefire earlier this month, the group’s spokesman reiterated their strategic goals, suggesting a complicated and ongoing conflict.
Rwanda has mobilized significant support for the M23 rebels, with United Nations analysts estimating around 4,000 troops backing their cause, surpassing the number involved during their earlier incursions in 2012. The Rwandan government’s justification for this involvement is framed around the protection of ethnic Tutsis from Hutu forces, in a historical context that resonates with the memory of the Rwandan genocide, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 800,000 individuals.
The United Nations refugee agency has reported a substantial humanitarian crisis, with approximately 350,000 people displaced due to the ongoing violence, and nearly 3,000 fatalities recorded since the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi is seeking international diplomatic support to mitigate the conflict, participating in high-level discussions at the Munich Security Conference and planning to attend an African Union summit in Ethiopia shortly thereafter.
In summary, the M23 rebels’ capture of Kavumu airport highlights the escalating tensions and ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Backed by Rwandan forces, the group poses a significant threat to regional stability as it asserts control over strategic areas. The humanitarian ramifications are profound, with large-scale displacement and casualties reported. Diplomatic efforts by President Tshisekedi are critical as the international community seeks to address the escalating crisis.
Original Source: news.sky.com
