M23 rebels have successfully seized control of Bukavu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s second-largest city in the eastern region, as confirmed by government officials. This event follows recent attacks launched by the Rwanda-backed militia.

According to a statement shared on X by the DRC’s communications ministry, the government is closely monitoring the situation, highlighting the involvement of the Rwandan army and its allies. They expressed ongoing efforts to restore stability, security, and the country’s territorial integrity.

On Friday, M23 fighters stormed into Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, advancing from their previous capture of Goma, the North Kivu capital, last month. The militia encountered minimal opposition during their advance.

Local resident Blaise Byamungu lamented that “all authorities have abandoned us, and there are no loyalist forces present.”

“Is the government waiting for them to take over other towns before taking action? It’s sheer cowardice,” he remarked.

Over the weekend, the rebels made their way to the governor’s office, where group leader Bernard Byamungu addressed a small crowd, vowing to transform the current state of affairs. “We are here to eliminate the chaos left by the previous regime,” he stated, asserting that the residents had been living in a “jungle.”

M23 is one of over 100 armed factions actively engaged in conflict with Congolese forces in the mineral-rich eastern DRC. The group claims to defend the rights of the Congolese Tutsi and other minority populations, particularly in safeguarding against Hutu rebel groups that fled to the DRC following the 1994 Rwandan genocide targeting Tutsis.

The governments of the DRC, the United States, and various other nations have accused Rwanda of providing support to M23, a claim the Rwandan government refutes. United Nations experts assert that the Rwandan army has “de facto control” over the militia.

Previously, the Burundian army was assisting the Congolese forces in the defense of Bukavu. The recent takeover of the city marks a significant territorial expansion for M23 since it reemerged in 2022, increasing the likelihood of further regional conflict.

Fighting in this region has resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities and a comparable number of injuries during the struggle for Goma.

This year’s hostilities have intensified the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, demolishing 70,000 emergency shelters near Goma and Minova, thus leaving around 350,000 internally displaced individuals vulnerable, as reported by the UN.

On Saturday, the Congo River Alliance, which includes M23 among other militias, expressed its commitment to “defending” the people of Bukavu. “We urge the local population to maintain control of their city and resist panic,” said spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka.

In response, the DRC government appealed for calming measures.

“We encourage the residents of Bukavu to stay indoors and avoid exposing themselves to potential threats from occupying forces,” the communications ministry advised on X.

This report incorporates contributions from the Associated Press.