Rwanda-Backed Rebels Occupy Second Major City in Eastern Congo
Rebels Seize Bukavu as Congolese Forces Retreat
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have taken control of Bukavu, a major city in mineral-rich eastern Congo, after Congolese forces abandoned it, the government confirmed on Sunday.
The Congo River Alliance, a coalition that includes M23, claimed its fighters entered Bukavu to restore order amid what they called security challenges under the previous administration.
“Our forces have been working to restore security for the people and their property, much to the satisfaction of the entire population,” said Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the alliance.
Government Forces Flee as M23 Expands Its Reach
The rebels encountered little resistance from government troops as they advanced into Bukavu, a city of 1.3 million people. Many Congolese soldiers were seen fleeing alongside thousands of civilians on Saturday.
Congo’s government vowed to retake the city, but as of Sunday, there were no visible efforts to counter the rebel occupation.
The M23 rebels are among over 100 armed groups fighting for control over eastern Congo’s vast mineral wealth, estimated to be worth trillions of dollars and crucial to global technology supply chains. According to United Nations experts, M23 is backed by approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops.
The ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of more than 6 million people, creating the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Rebels Promise to ‘Clean Up’ the City
Standing in front of the South Kivu governor’s office, M23 leader Bernard Maheshe Byamungu, who is sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council for human rights abuses, declared his forces would restore order in Bukavu.
“We are going to clean up the disorder left over from the old regime,” he said, addressing a small crowd of young men, some of whom cheered for the rebels to march to Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, nearly 1,000 miles away.
For the first time, Congo’s government publicly acknowledged the rebel occupation in a social media statement, saying it was “doing everything possible to restore order and territorial integrity.”
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Local resident Blaise Byamungu described the situation as chaotic, criticizing the government’s inaction.
“The city was abandoned by all the authorities and without any loyalist force. Is the government waiting for them to take over other towns before taking action? It’s cowardice.”
Fears of a Regional Escalation
Unlike in 2012, when M23 briefly occupied Goma before withdrawing under international pressure, analysts believe the rebels now have political ambitions.
The conflict is deeply rooted in ethnic tensions. M23 claims to be defending Congo’s ethnic Tutsis, while Rwanda accuses Congo of collaborating with Hutu militias, some of whom were responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Although Rwanda insists that Hutu militias are integrated into the Congolese military, Kinshasa denies these allegations.
A significant change in M23’s leadership has raised concerns. The group’s new face, Corneille Nangaa, is not Tutsi, which political scientist Christian Moleka believes is a strategic move to present M23 as a Congolese movement rather than a Rwanda-backed militia.
International Response and Regional Stakes
Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi initially denied Bukavu had fallen, but later warned of a regional war if the situation escalates.
Government forces are receiving support from South African troops in Goma and Burundian forces in Bukavu. However, Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, hinted that his country would not retaliate against M23.
The crisis was a key topic at the African Union summit in Ethiopia over the weekend, where U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned of a wider regional conflict.
Despite growing tensions, African leaders and the international community remain hesitant to take strong action against M23 or Rwanda, whose military is one of the strongest in Africa. Most continue to call for a ceasefire and dialogue, but with rebels now in control of a second major city, the situation remains dire.
