M23 Rebels Capture Bukavu, Furthering Instability in the DRC

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have seized Bukavu, a major city in DRC, claiming to restore security. Local authorities admitted to the occupation, while residents expressed frustration at the lack of government intervention. The situation escalates tensions in the region, which is already experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis with millions displaced.

Rwandan-backed rebel forces have taken control of Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking their occupation of a second significant urban area. The Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 group, stated that their fighters have come to aid the local populace in addressing security issues stemming from the previous governance, which they referred to as the “old regime.”

Alliance spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka claimed that their troops are focused on restoring security for the residents and their property, indicating a measure of local approval for their actions. Bernard Maheshe Byamungu, an M23 official imposed with UN sanctions for human rights violations, stated that residents had been living in a chaotic environment, declaring their intentions to eliminate disorder left by the old administration.

The Congolese government has officially recognized the occupation of Bukavu and vowed to restore order and territorial integrity in the region. South Kivu’s Governor, Jean-Jacques Purusi, revealed that government troops had strategically withdrawn to avoid clashes in populous areas, admitting that he and his team had vacated their offices and residences amidst the takeover.

This incident follows closely on the heels of the M23 asserting control over Kavumu airport, a crucial military hub in South Kivu. A civil society representative commented on the dire situation, declaring that Bukavu could no longer sustain itself under the present circumstances. Local resident Blaise Byamungu further expressed frustration with the government’s lack of action in the face of rebel advancement, which he described as cowardice.

The M23, one of numerous armed groups in eastern DRC, has been advancing since capturing the city of Goma in January. Despite declaring a ceasefire earlier in February, Kanyuka insisted that M23 does not intend to take further cities, including Bukavu. The ongoing conflict has displaced over six million individuals in the region, contributing to a dire humanitarian crisis, as reported by the UN, which cited nearly 3,000 casualties earlier this month.

According to UN experts, approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops are supporting the M23 rebels, a larger force than in 2012 during their initial Goma capture. While Rwanda denies backing the group, the government frames the conflict as a protective measure for ethnic Tutsis against Hutu forces, a response rooted in the historical tragedy of the 1994 genocide that claimed approximately 800,000 lives.

In conclusion, the M23 rebels’ occupation of Bukavu represents a significant escalation in the conflict in eastern DRC, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as global attention remains fixed on the interests of Rwandan involvement. The local government’s response has been focused on mitigating violence through strategic withdrawal, but widespread concern prevails regarding governance and security as tensions escalate further.

Original Source: news.sky.com