Residents of Bukavu are grappling with the aftermath of widespread looting after the arrival of M23 rebels.
The insurgents, backed by Rwanda, entered the city on Sunday, marking a significant escalation in eastern Congo’s ongoing conflict.
The M23 rebels’ entry into Bukavu, Congo’s second-largest city, follows their capture of Goma in January.
With Bukavu’s strategic location and vital airport under their control, the rebels have dealt another blow to the Congolese government’s authority.
Congolese and Burundian troops withdrew to avoid clashes in heavily populated areas, leaving behind a power vacuum that fueled crime and a prison break.
In response, M23 has pledged to restore order and provide security to the people of Bukavu, who the rebels claim were abandoned by the army.
On local radio, the M23 alliance assured the population that their forces are actively working to restore peace.
“Our forces have been working to restore security for the people and their property, much to the satisfaction of the entire population,” a statement read.
However, residents like Zozo Sakali are left devastated. His shop, looted and stripped bare, now stands as a symbol of the chaos that followed the withdrawal.
“The thugs took everything,” Sakali said, his voice filled with frustration.
“I don’t know how I’ll repay the money I borrowed.”
The conflict, largely fueled by competition for mineral resources, continues to escalate tensions in the region.
Despite international pressure, Congo accuses Rwanda of fueling the rebellion, while Rwanda denies the claims, stating its forces are defending against Hutu militia threats.
As M23 gains ground, fears of a regional war grow, with Congo’s mineral wealth, including cobalt and copper, increasingly under threat.
