Panic swept through the eastern town of Lubero as soldiers fled the front lines, looting shops and firing weapons in the streets.
Amid intense clashes with advancing Rwandan-backed rebels, the Congolese army issued an urgent call for deserters to return to their posts. A military spokesperson ordered runaway soldiers to report back within 12 hours, warning against theft and disorder.
Residents of Lubero, caught in the chaos, described a scene of destruction. Gunfire echoed through the town, with looters raiding the central market and mobile phone shops. “It’s complete turmoil in Lubero,” one resident said, seeking anonymity for safety reasons.
Alain Kiwewa, the military administrator for Lubero, later confirmed the situation had calmed. He blamed undisciplined soldiers for sowing the panic and assured that order had been restored.
The unrest is part of a broader crisis. The M23 rebel group has seized much of eastern Congo, including the two largest cities. In South Kivu province, the Congolese army was forced into a chaotic retreat after the M23 captured Bukavu, exacerbating the instability.
International concerns are growing as the violence escalates. The United States imposed sanctions on Rwandan officials accused of supporting the rebels. Rwanda denies these claims, maintaining that it is fighting Hutu militias aligned with Congo’s military.
In response to the mounting crisis, Congo’s finance ministry launched a solidarity fund to support the army. The initiative underscores the financial strain of the ongoing conflict, which has already displaced thousands and disrupted the region’s economy.
