Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized two more towns in eastern Congo as they push southward toward a key provincial capital, escalating the crisis that has already displaced hundreds of thousands. Meanwhile, President Félix Tshisekedi is seeking diplomatic backing abroad.
The rebels, who captured Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, at the end of January, are advancing toward Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. On Friday morning, they took control of Katana, a commercial hub just 11 km (7 miles) from Kavumu, where Bukavu’s airport is located. A day earlier, they had seized Kabamba, cutting off communications in the area.
A U.N. source told Reuters that M23 fighters had advanced beyond Katana and were now just 5 km (3 miles) from Kavumu’s airport. Two airport workers confirmed the facility had been evacuated, with military equipment and at least one aircraft removed by Congolese forces. An M23 source claimed the Congolese army had abandoned Kavumu altogether.
M23 leader Corneille Nangaa defended the rebel movement, stating they were under attack and acting in self-defense.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The U.N. refugee agency has warned of a “rapidly deteriorating” humanitarian situation, with around 350,000 displaced people left without shelter.
As fighting intensifies, President Tshisekedi has traveled to Germany for the Munich Security Conference and is expected to fly to Addis Ababa on Friday evening to attend the African Union summit, where the Congo crisis will be a key topic.
In the capital Kinshasa, nearly 1,600 km (1,000 miles) west of Goma, a heavier military presence has been observed following recent protests. Demonstrators have attacked a U.N. compound and embassies—including those of Rwanda, France, and the United States—accusing foreign powers of fueling the conflict. The Kenyan embassy was looted amid the unrest.
