Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The rebels, who seized Kavumu airport earlier on Friday, moved into the northern district of Bukavu without facing resistance from government forces, according to local residents.
The Congolese army confirmed its withdrawal from the airport, stating that troops had pulled back with their equipment.
Witnesses reported seeing M23 fighters in the city’s Bagira district, with no signs of clashes, as army forces had already vacated the area.
This development follows M23’s capture of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, at the end of January. The fall of Bukavu represents a major territorial expansion for the rebels since they reignited their insurgency in 2022, further undermining the authority of the Congolese government in the region.
M23 leader Corneille Nangaa confirmed the group’s presence in Bukavu, stating, “We entered Bukavu this evening, and tomorrow we will continue with the operation to clean up the city.” The Congolese military has not yet issued an official response to this statement.
The humanitarian crisis in the region is worsening, with the United Nations warning of an increasing number of displaced people moving toward Bukavu, a city already home to nearly 1.3 million residents.
Concerns over a broader regional conflict are growing, as Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, called for international intervention. He warned that the situation could escalate further and urged global powers to hold Rwanda accountable for its alleged role in the conflict.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied accusations of supporting M23, arguing that its involvement is limited to defending itself against armed groups allied with the Congolese military. The ongoing conflict will be a key focus at the upcoming African Union summit in Addis Ababa, though progress is uncertain given Rwanda’s continued defiance.
As tensions rise, the Congolese government has bolstered security in the capital, Kinshasa, in anticipation of possible unrest. Meanwhile, Tshisekedi accused his predecessor, Joseph Kabila, of conspiring with the rebels and Rwanda to destabilize the country—an allegation Kabila’s camp has strongly denied.
