M23 fighters have taken over Kavumu Airport near Bukavu, intensifying the conflict in DRC ahead of the African Union summit. The Congolese military retreated with minimal resistance. The situation is drawing international attention as President Tshisekedi seeks support. The conflict has displaced over 350,000 people.
M23 fighters have reportedly captured Kavumu Airport near Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), just before the African Union summit convenes in Ethiopia. The airport, primarily utilized for NGO and military activities, represented the last significant military defense against the advancing rebel forces, which are approximately 30 kilometers from Bukavu, a city with over one million residents. Reports indicate that the Congolese military withdrew with little resistance as the rebels advanced.
The circumstances surrounding the capture of Bukavu Airport underscore a significant escalation in the conflict between M23 rebels and Congolese forces. As international discussions at the African Union summit loom, the situation in the DRC remains critical, highlighted by ongoing violence, humanitarian crises, and calls for a lasting ceasefire.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
