By Rorisang Modiba
- M23 rebels take control of Bukavu city without a fight as government forces pull back to avoid street battles.
- Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels to steal minerals while Rwanda denies involvement.
Another major city in Eastern DRC has fallen into the hands of the M23 rebels.
The Rwanda-backed rebels have taken control of Bukavu, seizing government buildings as some residents cheered and others hid in fear.
The rebels walked into the city centre without a fight after first capturing the airport. Government soldiers pulled back to avoid street fighting.
Some people in Bukavu welcomed the rebels, but many stayed locked in their homes. A resident said armed youths were causing chaos.
“There is shooting and looting across the city,” the resident said.
This is the second major city the M23 rebels have taken in recent weeks after capturing Goma. The UN warns this could trigger a larger war in the region.
The city sits on Lake Kivu near Rwanda and is crucial for the area’s mineral trade. Hundreds of thousands of people have already fled their homes due to the fighting.
Congo’s government says Rwanda is supporting the rebels to steal Congo’s minerals. Rwanda denies this, claiming it is only concerned about rebels linked to its 1994 genocide.
The rebels started fighting in late 2021. Congo’s president wants other countries to sanction Rwanda for its alleged support of M23.
Meanwhile, prisoners have escaped, and people have broken into food stores as the city descends into disorder. The African Union has urged M23 to lay down their weapons, warning that the conflict could spread.
Pictured above: A family in Congo.
Image source: File
