The Congolese government reported on Sunday that Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized control of Bukavu, a second major city in the mineral-rich east of the country. The rebels established a presence at the governor’s office, declaring their intention to restore order following the “old regime.”
Journalists observed numerous residents celebrating the rebels’ arrival in Bukavu after their advance from Goma, a city of 2 million people captured last month.
The rebels encountered minimal resistance from government forces during their significant territorial expansion, a stark contrast to previous years of conflict. While the Congolese government pledged to regain control of Bukavu (population 1.3 million), no government soldiers were visible; many were seen fleeing on Saturday along with thousands of civilians.
The M23, the most prominent among over 100 armed groups vying for control of eastern Congo’s vast mineral wealth, is reportedly supported by approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops, according to experts. This conflict has displaced over 6 million people, creating a major humanitarian crisis.
M23 leader Bernard Maheshe Byamungu, sanctioned by the UN Security Council for human rights violations, addressed residents from the South Kivu governor’s office in Bukavu, describing their previous living conditions as a “jungle.” He declared the rebels’ intention to “clean up the disorder left over from the old regime,” prompting some young men in the crowd to urge them to advance to Kinshasa, the nation’s capital.
Unlike their announcement after taking Goma, which prompted immediate international condemnation, the M23 did not publicly claim Bukavu. M23 spokespeople did not respond to inquiries on Sunday.
Congo’s communications ministry acknowledged Bukavu’s occupation on social media for the first time, stating the government is working to restore order and territorial integrity.
Blaise Byamungu, a Bukavu resident, reported the rebels entered a city abandoned by authorities and loyalist forces. He criticized the government’s inaction, questioning why they waited for the rebels to take more towns before responding.
Unlike the M23’s brief 2012 seizure of Goma, followed by withdrawal under international pressure, analysts believe the rebels are now pursuing political power.
The conflict is linked to long-standing ethnic tensions. The M23 claims to be defending ethnic Tutsis in Congo. Rwanda alleges persecution of Tutsis by Hutus and former militias responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Many Hutus fled to Congo after the genocide, forming the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Rwanda asserts that the FDLR is integrated into the Congolese military, a claim denied by Congo. However, the emergence of Corneille Nangaa, a non-Tutsi, as a prominent M23 figure in the region gives the group a new, more diverse Congolese image, according to Christian Moleka, a political scientist at the Congolese think tank Dypol.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, who initially maintained Bukavu was under government control, warned of regional conflict escalation.
Congolese forces in Goma received support from South African troops, while those in Bukavu were aided by Burundian troops. However, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye appeared to indicate on social media that his country would not retaliate.
The conflict was a key topic at the African Union summit in Ethiopia, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres warning of a potential regional conflagration. Despite this, African leaders and the international community have been hesitant to take decisive action against the M23 or Rwanda, which possesses a strong military, instead prioritizing ceasefires and dialogue.
The Congo River Alliance, a coalition of rebel groups including the M23, stated its commitment to defending the people of Bukavu, urging residents to remain calm and avoid panic.