Eastern Congo is experiencing a crisis as M23 rebels advance towards Bukavu, prompting mass civilian flight and chaos in the city. Looting and unrest ensue following the retreat of Congolese troops, with significant casualties reported. International leaders call for immediate action to restore order and address the humanitarian fallout from the conflict, which has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced many.
Panic erupted in Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo, as thousands of residents fled from the advancing M23 rebel group, believed to be backed by Rwanda. The city, home to approximately 1.3 million people, experienced chaos with looting and flight from the imminent threat of rebel forces. Despite the presence of M23 near Bukavu, there was no immediate confirmation that they had seized control of the city.
Residents witnessed disturbing scenes of burnt corpses on the streets, left by looters who capitalized on the absence of Congolese troops, who retreated from their positions. Many locals expressed shock at the violence, with some stating that even the remaining soldiers were involved in looting incidents. Videos and reports showed significant disorder, with factories being ransacked and prisons flooded with escaped inmates.
In a statement from Lawrence Kanyuka, the spokesperson for the Congo River Alliance, which includes M23, the group blamed Congolese forces and allied militias for allowing chaos to take hold in Bukavu. Meanwhile, Pierre Bahizi, the new self-proclaimed governor of Bukavu, urged residents to stay calm and work together to restore order.
The M23 rebel group, consisting of around 4,000 armed personnel from Rwanda, is expanding its control in eastern Congo, challenging the central government in Kinshasa. Their dominance poses a significant risk of attracting international attention, especially as the conflict has already resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities and the displacement of hundreds of thousands.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of M23 forces, alongside a return of Congolese authorities to Bukavu. M23’s recent capture of the nearby airport complicates logistics for humanitarian efforts and favours the rebels’ strategic position by potentially preventing airstrikes from Congolese troops.
Amid increasing disorder, officials observed troop movements from Kavumu Airport north of Bukavu heading into the city. The situation parallels the M23’s previous advance on Goma, highlighting the Congolese military’s ongoing challenges, including inefficiency and corruption, despite its resources.
At an African Union summit, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need to avoid regional escalation arising from the conflict. Despite numerous calls for a ceasefire, disagreement among African leaders on how to resolve the conflict remains a key impediment to a lasting solution, exacerbating tensions in the Great Lakes region.
In Ituri province, separate conflicts involving Ugandan troops against other rebel factions further complicate the already volatile security landscape. Ugandan military commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba indicated potential military action against opposing forces unless they surrendered within a short time frame, marking rising military tensions in the region.
The situation in eastern Congo remains critical as M23 rebels gain ground, causing mass panic and disorder in Bukavu. The combination of looting, civilian casualties, and military retreat paints a dire picture. International concern is mounting over the implications of the conflict and the potential for regional instability, prompting calls for immediate ceasefire and restoration of order.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
