Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advanced into the heart of Bukavu on Sunday, facing little resistance as government forces pulled back, witnesses and the group’s spokesperson confirmed.
The takeover marks the rebels’ most significant territorial gain since seizing Goma in late January, further escalating concerns of a broader regional conflict.
Bukavu Falls with Minimal Fighting
Despite earlier assurances from the Congolese presidency that Bukavu remained under military control, residents reported seeing M23 fighters in the city center by early Sunday. M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma confirmed their presence, posting images from Independence Square on social media.
Government and army officials have yet to comment on the developments.
Videos verified by Reuters showed M23 fighters parading in central Bukavu, engaging with residents, and standing outside the provincial governor’s office. Some locals welcomed them with cheers, while others remained wary.
The only signs of resistance came from Camp Saio, Bukavu’s main military base, where intermittent gunfire was heard.
Military Withdrawal and Fears of Wider War
A Congolese army officer told Reuters that troops had begun evacuating Bukavu to avoid a repeat of the bloodshed in Goma, where approximately 3,000 people were killed, according to U.N. estimates. The withdrawal left a power vacuum, leading to looting and a prison break on Saturday.
M23’s advance has reignited fears of a larger regional conflict, with the involvement of Rwandan, Burundian, and Ugandan forces adding to tensions. Congo’s government accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebels, a claim both Kigali and M23 deny.
The insurgency has worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis, displacing 350,000 people in recent weeks, according to the U.N.
Bukavu’s fall raises urgent questions about the next phase of the conflict, as M23 continues its push deeper into eastern Congo.
