Congo’s government reported that M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have taken control of Bukavu, marking a significant rise in their territorial expansion. The M23 aims to address the “disorder left by the old regime,” amidst a backdrop of humanitarian displacement affecting more than 6 million people. Concerns about the conflict escalating regionally persist as international responses remain limited.
Congo’s government announced that Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have occupied Bukavu, a major city in the eastern mineral-rich region of the country. With little resistance from Congolese forces, the M23 positioned themselves at the governor’s office while promising to “clean up” the disorder left by the previous administration. The city of Bukavu, home to 1.3 million people, witnessed residents cheering the rebels’ entry after their march from Goma—a city they captured last month.
The M23, highlighted as the most significant among over 100 armed groups in eastern Congo, is allegedly supported by approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops according to UN experts. This escalation has contributed to a humanitarian crisis, having displaced over 6 million individuals in the region. Observations from the ground indicate a lack of government military presence, with many soldiers and civilians fleeing Bukavu.
Bernard Maheshe Byamungu, an M23 leader recently sanctioned by the U.N., addressed the crowd in Bukavu, declaring that the community has existed in a “jungle.
The situation in eastern Congo continues to deteriorate with the M23’s occupation of Bukavu, signaling potential political ambitions beyond mere territorial gains. As fears grow over the conflict’s expansion, the international community’s calls for dialogue and ceasefire remain unheeded, heightening the urgency for a resolution to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: www.newspressnow.com
