The armed group M23, reportedly backed by Rwandan forces, has advanced into the center of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), heightening concerns over the stability of the country. The African Union (AU) has warned that the ongoing conflict could lead to the fragmentation of the DRC.
M23 fighters reached the outskirts of Bukavu on Friday and took control of its airport, situated approximately 30 kilometers from the city. The capture of Bukavu, a city of one million inhabitants, consolidates M23’s dominance over Lake Kivu, following its earlier takeover of Goma, the capital of North Kivu, in January. The Congolese military (FARDC) offered little resistance before retreating, leaving behind weapons that were later seized by civilians and criminal groups. Widespread looting followed, prompting residents to seek refuge indoors.
As M23 forces moved through Bukavu’s streets, some residents gathered to applaud, while others chanted slogans calling for change and job opportunities. Near the Rwandan border, some even urged the group to continue their march toward the capital, Kinshasa. In an official statement, M23 instructed Bukavu’s residents to form security committees and demanded the withdrawal of Burundian troops who had been supporting the Congolese military in the province. Gunfire continued in parts of the city, particularly near the military base, as M23 sought to root out remaining soldiers and looters.
The growing violence has raised fears of a broader regional conflict, prompting urgent calls for de-escalation. Speaking at an AU summit in Addis Ababa, the organization’s Peace and Security Commissioner, Bankole Adeoye, called for an immediate withdrawal of M23 and its backers from all occupied areas, including Goma airport. Without naming Rwanda, Adeoye emphasized the need to prevent the disintegration of eastern DRC. UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed these concerns, stressing the importance of safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
France has joined the calls for an immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops, while Britain warned on Sunday that Rwanda’s alleged involvement risks sparking a wider regional conflict. Kinshasa claims that approximately 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are present in eastern DRC. The conflict, now in its fourth year, has been fueled by long-standing accusations from the DRC government that Kigali is seeking to exploit the region’s vast mineral resources, essential for battery and electronic production, while also attempting to claim land for agricultural purposes.
Rwanda has consistently denied these allegations, arguing that its national security is threatened by armed groups operating in the region, particularly the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an organization linked to former Hutu leaders responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Despite mounting international pressure, efforts to broker a ceasefire have so far been unsuccessful.
