M23 rebels have captured Kavumu Airport near Bukavu, marking a significant shift in the DRC conflict. The Congolese military faced minimal resistance, and the situation grows worse as the conflict displaces thousands. President Tshisekedi is seeking support internationally while preparing for an upcoming African Union summit that will address these issues.
The M23 rebel group has reportedly seized control of Kavumu Airport, which serves the provincial capital of Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This airport, strategically significant for both military operations and humanitarian flights, was the last defense of the Congolese forces before reaching Bukavu, a city with over one million inhabitants located approximately 30 kilometers away.
As the rebels advanced, they encountered minimal resistance, leading to Congolese military personnel abandoning the airport. Reports indicate that the M23 forces also captured Katana, a town about 11 kilometers from the airport. This development occurs just prior to the African Union summit in Ethiopia, scheduled for this Saturday.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, who was expected to attend the summit, has traveled to Germany to participate in the Munich Security Conference. His aim is to garner international support amid the escalating violence caused by the M23 rebels, who are alleged to be backed by Rwanda.
The African Union will address the ongoing conflict in the DRC at the summit. Previously, the M23 rebel coalition had proclaimed a unilateral ceasefire; however, fighting resumed shortly after a brief pause. According to Moussa Faki Mahamat, the outgoing chair of the African Union, a ceasefire must be respected, emphasizing that military operations will not resolve the underlying issues.
The human toll of this conflict has been severe, resulting in the displacement of approximately 350,000 individuals due to the violence. Following the loss of Goma, which the M23 rebels captured in January, demonstrations erupted in Kinshasa as citizens voiced their dissatisfaction with perceived foreign involvement in DRC affairs.
The M23 rebel group’s seizure of Kavumu Airport marks a significant escalation in the conflict in the DRC, further compounding the humanitarian crisis as thousands are displaced. While the African Union summit aims to address this situation, President Tshisekedi’s absence underscores the urgent need for international support. Continued fighting and instability pose challenges to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
