Panic surged in Bukavu, DR Congo as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels advanced, causing mass flights and looting among residents. Despite initial chaos, a fragile calm returned as gunfights ceased after Congolese soldiers withdrew. The city’s humanitarian situation worsens, with significant casualties and displacements reported amid fears of escalating conflict. Calls for ceasefires and international attention increase as the rebellion challenges regional stability.
On Saturday, panic engulfed Bukavu, a city in eastern DR Congo, as thousands of residents and soldiers attempted to flee from advancing Rwandan-backed rebels, known as M23. After M23 fighters entered the city’s outskirts, many streets were congested with those seeking to escape, while looters ransacked local stores, filling sacks with flour and other goods. As the day progressed, a haunting silence fell over the city as its inhabitants braced for further turmoil.
Despite the unrest, M23 did not seem to assert firm control over Bukavu immediately. They refrained from making announcements about new territorial gains, unlike the previous day when they had seized an airport near the city. Bukavu resident Alexis Bisimwa remarked on a relative calm as gunfire had ceased after Congolese troops withdrawn southward, shifting the atmosphere from the intense conflict of the earlier day.
The city, home to approximately 1.3 million people and the second largest in eastern DR Congo, witnessed gruesome sights, with burned corpses lying in the streets. Residents described the looting chaos left by the absence of Congolese soldiers, with Alain Iragi stating, “They set fire to the ammunition they were unable to take with them.” Reports indicated factories were vandalized and prisons emptied, while electricity and communication services largely remained operational.
Amid the turmoil, Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the Congo River Alliance, urged citizens to maintain control of their city and avoid panic. Pierre Bahizi, the rebels’ self-declared governor for Bukavu, encouraged residents to stay composed and work together to restore order, stating, “We must not leave power in the street.”
The M23, bolstered by approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops, poses a significant threat to the Congolese government, expanding control in a region rich in minerals. If Bukavu falls entirely to M23, it could attract greater international scrutiny, with French President Emmanuel Macron demanding an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of M23 forces.
Recent conflicts have resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 in eastern Congo and have displaced hundreds of thousands. Reports suggest 350,000 internally displaced individuals are currently without shelter, according to the UN and Congolese authorities. While M23 continues to advance, they recently claimed control over an airport serving Bukavu, aiming to block airstrikes on civilians by Congolese forces.
Congo’s Communications Ministry criticized the rebels for violating ceasefire agreements. Reports of looting intensified after soldiers abandoned positions near Bukavu, indicating systemic military failures despite the army’s size and funding. The ongoing rebellion and its implications were a focal point at the recent African Union summit, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres warning against escalation of the conflict.
Suggestions for resolution remain complex, with a lack of consensus among African leaders on an effective approach. Meanwhile, regional tensions rise as Ugandan troops confront other rebel factions in eastern Congo. As military actions escalate, Ugandan commanders have issued ultimatums for compliance, threatening attacks against non-compliant forces, creating a delicate and potentially explosive situation in the region.
The situation in Bukavu, DR Congo, remains precarious as M23 rebels continue their advance, causing panic and significant displacement among residents. The Congolese military’s failures have exacerbated the crisis, leading to widespread looting and violence. With international figures calling for urgent resolutions, the instability threatens to deepen amidst rising tensions and ongoing conflict with other regional groups. The need for a cohesive and effective response to restore order is more critical than ever.
Original Source: www.euronews.com
