The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is once again in turmoil as the M23 rebel group intensifies its offensive, plunging the city of Bukavu into chaos. Over the weekend, sporadic gunfire and widespread looting were reported, with residents barricading themselves in their homes amid the escalating violence.
The situation remains fluid, with conflicting reports about whether M23 fighters have entered Bukavu, a strategic city in the region. On Friday, the rebels seized Kavumu Airport, located just north of the city, marking a significant advance in their campaign. The uncertainty has left residents on edge, with many fearing the worst as the conflict shows no signs of abating.
The United Nations and the European Union have expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at an African Union summit on Saturday, emphasized the need to avoid a regional escalation "at all costs." He stressed that there is "no military solution" to the crisis and called for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC to be respected.
The European Union echoed these sentiments, warning that the ongoing violation of the DRC's territorial integrity "will not go unanswered." The bloc is reportedly considering all available options to address the crisis.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The conflict has already displaced hundreds of thousands of people in recent weeks, with many fleeing their homes to escape the violence. In Bukavu, the streets were eerily deserted on Saturday as residents sought refuge indoors. One woman told the BBC that people were too afraid to venture outside due to the gunfire and rampant looting.
"I only have enough food for three days," she said. "As a woman, it’s dangerous for me to go out because I could be raped by armed groups or looters. We feel abandoned by the authorities."
The looting extended to a World Food Programme (WFP) depot in Bukavu, where 6,800 metric tons of food were stolen. Claude Kalinga, a spokesman for the UN aid agency, warned that the theft would exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation. The WFP had previously suspended its operations in the area due to the worsening security conditions.
Conflicting Reports and Regional Tensions
While M23 claims to have entered Bukavu, the situation on the ground remains unclear. Some residents in the northern suburb of Bagira reported seeing rebels in the area, while others, including Congolese army officers and multiple Bukavu residents, denied that the group had reached the city center.
The capture of Bukavu, a city of over one million people, would mark a significant expansion of M23's territorial control since its resurgence in 2022. Located on the southern tip of Lake Kivu and bordering Rwanda, Bukavu is a vital hub for the region's mineral trade, making it a key strategic prize for the rebels.
Meanwhile, tensions in the region have been further inflamed by a threat from Uganda’s army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. In a social media post on Saturday, Kainerugaba warned that he would attack the town of Bunia in eastern DRC unless "all forces" there surrendered their weapons within 24 hours. This provocative statement has raised fears of a broader regional conflict, reminiscent of the devastating wars that engulfed the region in the 1990s and 2000s, claiming millions of lives.
Uganda has been a key ally of the Congolese government in its fight against Islamist militants in the east since 2021. However, UN experts have accused Uganda of also supporting the M23 rebels, adding another layer of complexity to the crisis.
A Region Plagued by Instability
The eastern DRC has been a hotspot of conflict for over three decades, with roots tracing back to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The region’s vast mineral wealth has often fueled violence, drawing in neighboring countries and armed groups vying for control.
The current escalation has reignited fears of a return to the large-scale conflicts that once earned the region the grim nickname "Africa’s World Wars." As the international community calls for restraint, the people of eastern DRC continue to bear the brunt of a crisis with no end in sight.
For now, the residents of Bukavu remain trapped in a precarious limbo, caught between the advancing rebels, the faltering authority of the state, and the looming threat of a wider regional war. The world watches anxiously, hoping for a peaceful resolution but bracing for the possibility of further chaos.
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