M23 rebels have tightened their grip on Bukavu, seizing control from Congolese forces, which has heightened fears among residents and exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. The situation remains tense, with protests calling for the resignation of President Tshisekedi and the departure of UN peacekeepers.
On Monday, M23 rebels consolidated their control over Bukavu, a major city in eastern DRC, a day after capturing it from Congolese forces. Bukavu, with a population of 1.3 million, is located about 101 kilometers south of Goma, which the rebels had seized in late January. The M23 group is one of several armed factions vying for the region’s valuable mineral resources, with a reported support of approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops, according to UN experts.
The long-standing conflict has displaced more than six million individuals in eastern Congo, resulting in the largest humanitarian crisis globally. As the M23 entered Bukavu, many residents attempted to flee, leading to an atmosphere of dread and looting, with some locals hurriedly filling bags with goods. A tense quiet followed as residents prepared for the presence of the rebels in their city.
On Monday morning, residents cautiously emerged from their homes, while M23 personnel patrolled key intersections. Shopkeeper David Balezi noted, “People are still scared to go out because of the insecurity so it’s not business as usual yet.” Meanwhile, Bukavu’s border crossing with Rwanda and many shops remained closed as traffic began to resume slowly in the area.
Local resident David Munyaga expressed mixed feelings, stating, “Now we thank God that the situation is OK, even if we don’t know what’s coming.” The newly appointed governor of North-Kivu Province, Erasto Bahati Musanga, announced the reopening of Goma and Bukavu’s ports on Tuesday after a ban on navigation on Lake Kivu had been enforced since the rebels’ January offensive.
In Goma, residents protested against the UN peacekeeping force, MONUSCO, demanding its withdrawal and calling for the resignation of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi. Demonstrators staged a sit-in outside MONUSCO’s headquarters, criticizing the ineffective efforts for peace. Protester Bauma Sukali asserted, “The war does not end in Congo, why?” and Fiston Nsabimana added, “Tshisekedi is not able to ensure peace. Let him leave power.”
The capture of Bukavu by M23 rebels signifies an escalation in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where they now control two major cities. The growing violence exacerbates the humanitarian crisis affecting millions, with residents caught between fearing the present danger and uncertainty about the future. As protests against the Congolese government increase, calls for political change and peace remain crucial as the region navigates through instability.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
