Abdelrahman
On Sunday, rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo made significant strides by reportedly seizing control of the key trading city of Bukavu in the eastern region of the country, as conveyed by the fighters themselves and corroborated by videos shared by local residents. If validated, this takeover of Bukavu would mark another city lost amidst a widespread offensive that has exposed vulnerabilities within the struggling Congolese Army.
The M23 rebels, supported by neighboring Rwanda, appeared to encounter little to no opposition from local forces as they advanced into Bukavu, a provincial capital noted for its critical role in gold trading and smuggling operations, according to accounts from residents. Willy Ngoma, a spokesperson for the M23, confirmed their presence in the city, stating, “We’re in Bukavu.”
After their entry, the rebels addressed a gathering in Bukavu’s main square, moving in organized formations, as reported by multiple witnesses and verified through social media footage. For their safety, the witnesses asked to remain anonymous due to concerns over possible retaliation from the armed group.
In stark contrast, Congolese troops had previously abandoned their posts in Bukavu, retreating in a similar fashion, leading to a power vacuum now plagued by looters targeting warehouses and businesses. As of now, the Congolese government has not publicly addressed the ongoing situation in Bukavu, and independent verification of the city’s capture is still pending.
The potential fall of Bukavu would be a significant development, particularly when compared to the fierce fighting that took place last month in Goma, which resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities, according to UN reports. The M23 rebels’ successful acquisition of Bukavu would grant them control over two of the largest trading centers in the mineral-rich eastern part of Congo, significantly shifting the balance of power in the region’s volatile landscape.
