Gunfire and looting have erupted in Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as M23 rebels continue their push into the region. Residents are sheltering indoors, fearing for their safety amidst reports of sporadic gunfire.
The conflict has raised alarm among the UN and European Union, which have expressed concern over the worsening situation. The threat by Uganda’s army chief to attack a Congolese town unless all forces surrender their arms within 24 hours has sparked fears of a wider regional war.
M23 rebels seized Kavumu airport north of Bukavu on Friday, further escalating tensions. The rebel group is backed by Rwanda and has been accused by the DRC government of sowing chaos to benefit from the region’s natural resources.
The UN Secretary-General has warned that a regional escalation must be avoided “at all costs,” stressing the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC. The European Union has vowed to consider all options, warning that the ongoing violation of the country’s territorial integrity will not go unanswered.
Residents have been forced from their homes due to the rebel advance, with hundreds of thousands affected in recent weeks. Looting has included a World Food Programme depot in Bukavu, housing 6,800 metric tons of food, which has suspended its activities due to deteriorating security.
The conflict in the DRC’s mineral-rich east dates back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide and has had devastating effects on neighboring countries, resulting in millions of deaths.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1m5dppk5xmo