Intense violence has erupted in Bukavu, located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the M23 rebel faction intensifies its military actions in the area.

On Saturday, locals reported random gunshots and rampant looting throughout the city, including an attack on a World Food Programme warehouse, prompting many residents to stay indoors for safety.

This turmoil arises amid conflicting updates regarding the extent of M23’s presence in Bukavu, especially after their recent capture of Kavumu airport, situated to the north of the city, on Friday.

Both the United Nations and the European Union have expressed serious concerns regarding the escalating conflict.

A warning from the chief of Uganda’s military about potential military action against a Congolese town has raised fears that the instability could spiral into a broader regional conflict.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized at an African Union summit on Saturday that avoiding regional escalation is imperative “at all costs,” stating that “there is no military resolution available.”

He further remarked, “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be upheld.”

The European Union indicated that it is “urgently” exploring responses to the situation unfolding in Bukavu.

It issued a warning that the ongoing infringement on the DRC’s territorial sovereignty will be met with consequences.

The Congolese authorities accuse Rwanda of inciting instability to exploit the region’s natural resources, a claim that Rwanda firmly denies.

Recently, hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the advancing rebels.

On Saturday, Bukavu’s streets were eerily quiet as inhabitants took refuge in their homes.

One resident shared with the BBC that people were avoiding going outside due to ongoing gunfire and rampant looting of businesses.

“I only have enough provisions for three days. As a woman, it’s challenging for me to venture outside, fearing I might be subjected to assault by looters or armed groups. We feel abandoned by our leaders,” she lamented.

The looting involved the World Food Programme’s facility in Bukavu, which contained 6,800 metric tons of food, according to a spokesperson for the UN agency speaking to Reuters.

Claude Kalinga stated that the theft of these supplies would exacerbate the hardships faced by vulnerable populations. The agency had already paused its operations for weeks due to worsening security conditions.

There have been mixed accounts regarding whether or not M23 fighters have infiltrated Bukavu, as the group asserts, and the extent of their control.

Two residents from the Bagira neighborhood reported sightings of rebels on the streets without evidence of fighting.

However, sources from M23, two Congolese military officers, and various Bukavu residents have informed Reuters that the rebels have yet to access the city center.

The occupation of Bukavu, a city with a population exceeding one million, would represent a significant expansion of M23’s territorial control since the insurgency reignited in 2022.

Situated on the southern edge of Lake Kivu, Bukavu is a vital hub for local mineral trade and borders Rwanda.

In related developments, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s defence forces chief, announced via a post on X that he would target the town of Bunia, also located in eastern Congo, unless “all forces” there disarmed within 24 hours, raising alarms of a broader conflict.

Kainerugaba’s threat, given that his father holds the presidency in Uganda, contributes to fears of the region veering back into a more extensive war reminiscent of the devastating conflicts of the 1990s and 2000s, which resulted in millions of deaths.

Since 2021, Uganda’s military has been collaborating with the Congolese forces against Islamist insurgents in the east, but UN experts have alleged that Uganda has also provided support to the M23 group.