- विज्ञापन -
Kinshasa: M23 rebels have taken control of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as reported on February 16. This escalation in conflict prompted regional leaders to gather at the African Union (AU) summit, which aims to prevent the situation from worsening into a broader regional war. The M23 urged residents of Bukavu to establish “vigilance committees” for security and to appoint trustworthy leaders.
The group previously captured Kavumu Airport, a crucial humanitarian and military supply point located about 30 km from Bukavu. Local sources indicate that despite earlier claims of not intending to seize the city, M23 fighters continued their advance. Some DRC soldiers and their allies have retreated toward Uvira, a key commercial hub near the Burundian border.
This latest offensive follows the M23’s capture of Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, on January 26. The rebels have taken several towns in South Kivu since early February, causing panic among residents of Bukavu. The violence in eastern DRC has surged, with the M23 gaining control of strategic locations and establishing parallel administrations in occupied areas.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the urgent need to avoid regional escalation during the AU summit, emphasizing that military solutions are not viable and that dialogue is essential. Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye also warned that ongoing hostilities could lead to widespread conflict in the region.
Analysts attribute the conflict to deep-rooted ethnic tensions and competition for the DRC’s abundant mineral resources. A report by the International Crisis Group noted that the fall of Goma has displaced thousands and increased the risk of broader conflict in the Great Lakes region.
The eastern DRC’s mineral wealth continues to be a focal point of conflict, with various militias and government forces vying for control over valuable resources like coltan, tin, tantalum, and gold. This competition has historical roots, linked to the outbreak of the Second Congo War in 1998.
DRC government spokesperson Tina Salama confirmed that President Felix Tshisekedi would not attend the AU summit, delegating Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka instead. Tshisekedi has also missed recent regional meetings on the crisis. Peace efforts have repeatedly stalled, including a canceled AU-led peace summit aimed at negotiating between Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who has taken on the AU presidency for a year, expressed frustration over the stalled peace talks but reiterated that dialogue is crucial for achieving peace. He acknowledged the continent’s struggles with conflicts, including those between the DRC and Rwanda, and emphasized the need for mediation.
The ongoing conflict is deeply rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and long-standing ethnic tensions between the Tutsi and Hutu communities. The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing the M23, while Rwanda claims the DRC army collaborates with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a group involved in the genocide against Tutsis.
The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC has worsened significantly in recent weeks, with over 3,000 people killed, nearly 2,900 injured, and more than 500,000 displaced since January 26. This adds to the 6.4 million people already internally displaced in the region, according to UN reports.
