M23 rebels captured Bukavu’s airport, raising fears of a conflict escalation in eastern DRC. Congolese troops retreated with personal belongings, indicating weakness. Humanitarian crises are worsening, particularly in Goma, with urgent calls for ceasefire and resolution amidst tensions involving Rwanda.
On February 15, 2025, the M23 rebel group took control of the airport serving Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, coinciding with a gathering of African leaders in Addis Ababa to discuss the escalating conflict. This seizure raises the possibility of a broader conflict, with several neighboring nations already having deployed troops in the region. The airport, located approximately 30 km from Bukavu, represents a significant military achievement for the M23, provoking concerns of a potential assault on the city itself.
Congolese forces reportedly offered minimal resistance, and visual accounts showed soldiers retreating to Bukavu with their personal belongings. As military personnel moved into the city, local authorities reacted by sending staff home and shuttering shops, indicating a state of alarm amongst the populace. Bukavu, home to over one million residents, is historically vulnerable, having previously fallen to mutinous soldiers in 2004, suggesting that M23 control here could consolidate their grip over the Lake Kivu region.
Amid the turmoil, AU chair Moussa Faki Mahamat emphasized the critical need for an immediate ceasefire, insisting that military action was ineffective in resolving such issues. Heads of state gathered for talks in Ethiopia, though Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s absence, due to participation in a security conference in Germany, raised concerns about the effectiveness of these negotiations.
The protracted conflict in eastern DRC has intensified over the past three years, leading to urgent calls for de-escalation as fears grow of a regional war, particularly as the M23 is reportedly supported by Rwandan forces. Meanwhile, the DRC government has consistently urged international sanctions against Rwanda, although these pleas have yet to bear fruit, with nearly 3,000 casualties reported by the United Nations.
Goma, which came under M23 control in January, is experiencing a deteriorating humanitarian crisis. The situation has left local communities without adequate access to clean water, necessitating reliance on nearby Lake Kivu despite safety concerns, including possible cholera outbreaks. Humanitarian agencies have voiced concerns over obstruction in providing assistance to displaced populations and have urged all parties to respect civilian infrastructure and humanitarian access rights.
The ongoing violence has displaced hundreds of thousands individuals, creating dire living conditions in overcrowded camps. The M23 has demanded that displaced persons vacate these areas, leading to further tensions with aid organizations. Regional responses include Burundi temporarily closing its borders to fleeing Congolese and reports of health crises as patients escape from hospitals amid the chaos.
The eastern DRC has been embroiled in conflict for decades, with accusations against Rwanda of attempting to seize valuable natural resources, including rare earth minerals and gold. Rwanda contests these claims, asserting that its security is threatened by armed groups like the FDLR, linked to the 1994 genocide against Tutsis. Diplomatic relations have soured, with both nations recalling their ambassadors and the DRC imposing restrictions on Rwandan air traffic.
The seizure of Bukavu’s airport by M23 forces amplifies fears of an escalating conflict in eastern DRC, exacerbated by international concerns over regional stability. The humanitarian crisis in Goma continues to worsen as significant military and civilian exits unfold. Regional tensions remain high amidst accusations and counter-accusations between the DRC and Rwanda, indicative of the complex web of conflicts in eastern DRC’s history.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
