Abdelrahman
Rebels backed by Rwanda have captured a second airport in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo as reported by various security and humanitarian sources on Friday.
The M23 group, along with Rwandan forces, successfully overtook the last significant military barrier in the Kavumu area, which houses the airport servicing Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu.
The M23 faction stands out among the over 100 armed groups vying for dominance in Congo’s mineral-rich eastern regions.
What was Congo’s reaction?
In light of the recent escalation of hostilities, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of harboring “expansionist ambitions” in eastern Congo.
During his address at the Munich Security Conference, Tshisekedi urged for international sanctions against Kigali, asserting, “The real instigator of this situation, which needs to be blacklisted, is Rwanda.”
Statements from M23
M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka announced on X that the group had seized control of the Kavumu airport and its vicinity to “address the threat at its origin.”
Kanyuka further explained that the airport represented a danger to local civilians and indicated that the group faced minimal opposition from residents in the area.
African Union summit seeks conflict resolution
Leaders were scheduled to convene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for discussions regarding the ongoing crisis on Friday, coinciding with the annual African Union summit over the weekend.
President Tshisekedi will not attend this summit, as he intends to concentrate on curbing the M23 rebels’ advances, according to his spokesperson, Tina Salama.
Instead, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka will represent the Democratic Republic of Congo at the gathering.
Outgoing AU chair Moussa Faki Mahamat informed the press that the ongoing fighting must cease completely after a brief lull earlier in the week that failed to sustain itself.
The chair emphasized, “It is crucial to uphold the ceasefire. Military initiatives will not resolve these issues. There is a unified mobilization across Africa regarding this matter.”
In Goma, which fell to the M23 at the end of January, the rebels have already started implementing their own administration and establishing a police force.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery
