Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized control of Bukavu, a strategic city in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), escalating tensions and pushing the region closer to a potential multinational conflict. The Congolese government confirmed the fall of Bukavu on Sunday, despite earlier claims by President Felix Tshisekedi that the army was in control. Tshisekedi's government has vowed to restore order and territorial integrity, but the loss of Bukavu marks a huge setback.
The capture of Bukavu grants M23 control over the entire eastern border of Congo along Lake Kivu, adjacent to Rwanda. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda and the rebels of planning to occupy the region, raising fears of a broader regional war reminiscent of the devastating conflict that engulfed central Africa 25 years ago.
Last month, M23 seized Goma, another key city, after overpowering Congolese forces, allied militias, and international peacekeepers, resulting in thousands of casualties. As the rebels advanced toward Bukavu, troops from neighboring Burundi joined Congo’s army in the fight, prompting M23 to demand their withdrawal.
The UK Foreign Office on Sunday condemned the rebel advance, stating, “The entrance of M23 and the Rwandan Defence Force into Bukavu is a violation of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of the UN Charter.” They called for an immediate end to the fighting and the withdrawal of Rwandan troops, warning that the escalation risks a wider regional conflict with devastating human costs. French President Emmanuel Macron also urged M23 to withdraw from Bukavu and its airport to allow humanitarian aid.
M23 claims to protect the rights of Tutsis and Rwandan speakers in Congo, but the government insists their true aim is to exploit the region’s vast mineral wealth.
