The M23 captured Bukavu’s airport, intensifying fears of conflict escalation in eastern DRC amidst ongoing violence. As local troops retreated with little resistance, regional tensions rise, prompting calls for international intervention. Humanitarian conditions worsen in conflict-affected areas, as hundreds of thousands are displaced. Diplomatic efforts are complicated by the absence of key leaders from critical talks.
M23 fighters have captured Bukavu’s airport in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), heightening fears of an expanding conflict. This takeover occurred as African leaders convened for crisis discussions amid ongoing violence in the region. The seizure of the airport, located about 30 kilometers from Bukavu, marks a significant military gain for M23, leading to concerns that they may soon push into the city itself. Reports indicate that Congolese troops retreated with little resistance, suggesting a precarious security situation in Bukavu, a city home to one million residents.
As local authorities responded to the intensified threat by sending staff home and closing shops, there is a historical precedent for such instability; the city was previously captured in 2004 by soldiers who deserted the Congolese army. If Bukavu falls, it would consolidate M23’s dominance over the Lake Kivu area. On the diplomatic front, heads of state were set to meet in Addis Ababa to discuss the crisis, pending a ceasefire which, according to outgoing AU chair Moussa Faki Mahamat, is essential for peace. He emphasized, “The ceasefire must be observed. Military campaigns are not going to solve these problems.”
The absence of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi from the talks further complicates diplomatic efforts. Instead, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka represented him while Tshisekedi attended the Munich Security Conference. The conflict in Eastern DRC has persisted for three years, with rising violence prompting international calls for de-escalation and apprehensions about a potential regional war fueled by the involvement of Rwandan, Ugandan, and South African military forces.
The United Nations reports nearly 3,000 killings due to the recent violence. In Goma, where the M23 has imposed its rule, humanitarian conditions are dire, with access to clean water hindered and cholera outbreaks looming. The UNHCR has called for all parties to ensure humanitarian access: “We urge all parties to stop attacks on civilian infrastructure and guarantee unhindered humanitarian access,” said UNHCR spokeswoman Eujin Byun.
Displacement figures are rising as hundreds of thousands flee from their homes due to escalating combat towards Goma. Many displaced persons are now living in unsanitary conditions, and aid organizations express frustration at M23’s orders for them to vacate. The recent conflict has additionally forced patients suffering from mpox in Goma to flee. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of seeking to exploit the region’s resources, while Rwanda’s government claims it is defending national security against threats from armed groups, particularly the FDLR, formed by leaders from the 1994 genocide.
The capture of the Bukavu airport by M23 fighters indicates a serious escalation in the conflict in eastern DRC, posing potential risks for wider regional instability. With continuous violence, humanitarian crises deepen, and international appeals for de-escalation highlight the pressing need for ceasefire agreements. The absence of direct DRC-Rwanda dialogue and continued accusations between the two nations further complicate the situation, necessitating urgent diplomatic intervention to protect civilians and restore stability.
Original Source: www.wfxg.com
