Kinshasa: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) witnessed escalating tensions as M23 rebels advanced toward Bukavu, the second-largest city in the country’s eastern region. The incursion has prompted Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa to demand the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops, while concerns mount over potential regional conflict.
M23 Rebels Reach Bukavu’s Outskirts
On Friday evening, M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, reached Bagira, a northern suburb of Bukavu, according to eyewitness accounts. However, they did not enter the city center. The rebel group has been making strategic advances since capturing Goma at the end of last month.
“We are asking for one thing and cannot accept anything else: the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory,” Suminwa told Reuters on Saturday. “We are an independent country and we must protect the integrity of our territory.”
Rwandan-backed M23 rebels reached the outskirts of the eastern Congo city of Bukavu, marking an unprecedented expansion of territory under their control since the latest insurgency started in 2022 https://t.co/E9bkcsnKYK pic.twitter.com/m64yzpDkPY
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 16, 2025
Uganda’s Threat Sparks Regional War Fears
Adding to the volatile situation, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s defense chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni, issued a provocative statement on X. He warned that unless “all forces” in Bunia surrendered within 24 hours, he would order an attack on the town, located in eastern Congo. The declaration has stoked fears of a regional war reminiscent of the devastating conflicts in the 1990s and 2000s, which claimed millions of lives.
Uganda has supported the Congolese army in countering Islamist militants in the east since 2021, deploying an additional 1,000 soldiers earlier this year. However, U.N. experts have also linked Uganda to backing the Tutsi-led M23.
Suminwa declined to comment on Kainerugaba’s remarks.
Unrest and Humanitarian Crisis in Bukavu
As tensions escalated, chaos unfolded in Bukavu. Looting erupted at a World Food Programme (WFP) depot, where 6,800 metric tons of food were stored. A WFP spokesperson confirmed the incident, noting that the agency had already suspended operations in the area due to the deteriorating security situation. Social media footage verified by Reuters showed crowds carrying white sacks from the warehouse vicinity.
Meanwhile, the city’s main prison was also emptied. A provincial official and a Congolese army source confirmed that soldiers had freed some prisoners, while others managed to escape amid the unrest.
Contradicting Claims on Rebel Presence in Bukavu
On Friday night, Corneille Nangaa, the leader of a rebel alliance that includes M23, claimed that the group had entered Bukavu and planned further operations within the city. However, multiple sources, including two Congolese army officers and Bukavu residents, disputed this, stating the rebels had not yet reached the city center.
One army officer reported that soldiers were being evacuated to prevent a repeat of the “carnage” that occurred in Goma, where approximately 3,000 people were killed in the days leading up to the city’s fall, according to U.N. estimates.
Adding to the turmoil, Congolese soldiers set fire to a weapons depot at their military base in Bukavu on Saturday morning, as reported by five residents and a military source.
Strategic and Political Implications
Bukavu, home to an estimated two million people, is a crucial stronghold in eastern Congo’s mineral-rich region. If M23 were to capture the city, it would mark a significant expansion of their control and a major setback for Kinshasa’s authority in the region.
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In response to the escalating crisis, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. “In DRC, as more cities fall, the risk of regional war rises. It is time to silence the gun, it is time for diplomacy and dialogue,” Guterres stated at an African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa on Saturday.
International Reactions and Congo’s Political Stance
France and Belgium strongly condemned the M23 offensive on Bukavu, with their foreign ministries issuing statements on X denouncing the attacks.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, who has consistently refused to negotiate directly with M23, canceled his appearance at the AU summit and dispatched Suminwa to represent the DRC. He returned to Kinshasa on Saturday morning after attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany the previous day.
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Meanwhile, Rwanda continues to deny allegations of supporting M23, despite mounting evidence and international scrutiny.
