M23 rebels have taken control of Bukavu, eastern Congo, leading to extensive looting and security concerns. The Congolese military’s withdrawal created a power vacuum, prompting M23 to promise to restore order. Residents are worried about their losses amid escalating violence and regional tensions.
Residents of Bukavu, eastern Congo’s second-largest city, dealt with the aftermath of extensive looting following the arrival of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. This marks a significant advance for the Tutsi-led group after previously seizing Goma, the largest city in the region, earlier this year. The takeover of Bukavu and its strategic airport has further weakened the Congolese government’s authority amidst escalating fears of a broader regional conflict.
Though the Congolese government has yet to declare full control of Bukavu by M23, the withdrawal of Congolese and Burundian troops left the city vulnerable. This absence resulted in chaos, including rampant looting and a prison break. In response, M23 assured residents through a local radio announcement that they would restore order and security to the “abandoned” citizens.
Witnesses, such as Pascal Zulu, expressed despair over the looting of their businesses. Zulu lamented the total loss of his merchandises and the burden of repaying a borrowed loan. He stated, “The thugs arrived, they took everything, and nothing remains. I’m really upset. I don’t know how I’m going to repay the money I borrowed.”
M23 is the most recent in a series of ethnic Tutsi-led insurgent movements in eastern Congo. Rwanda has denied allegations of military support for M23, claiming it acts in self-defense against a Hutu militia allied with the Congolese forces. Conversely, the Congolese government accuses Rwanda of exploiting local militias for resource theft.
Currently, M23 holds more territory than any previous rebel groups since the two major wars in Congo from 1996 to 2003, gaining critical access to valuable mineral resources. Congo is a leading global producer of tantalum and cobalt, essential for batteries in electric vehicles and mobile technology, and has significant deposits of copper, coltan, lithium, tin, tungsten, and gold. The eastern region is particularly rich in tin, tantalum, and gold deposits.
In summary, the M23 rebels have gained significant ground in Bukavu, leading to widespread looting and increased conflict in eastern Congo. The group’s promises to restore order contrast with the government’s claims and local residents’ experiences. This situation raises concerns over regional stability and the battle for control of valuable mineral resources, essential for global industries.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
