Congo’s prime minister has issued a demand for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory, as M23 rebels push south towards the city of Bukavu. The rebels reached the outskirts of Bukavu on Friday evening but did not enter the city centre.
M23 rebels have been gaining ground since they seized Goma at the end of last month. Congo’s prime minister, Judith Suminwa, told Reuters that she is asking for “one thing and cannot accept anything else: the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory.” She emphasized the need to protect the integrity of her country’s territory.
The situation has raised concerns about a wider regional war. Uganda’s army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, had threatened to attack the town of Bunia unless all forces surrendered their arms within 24 hours. However, Rwanda has denied backing M23 and Kigali has condemned the rebels’ offensive on Bukavu.
The World Food Programme’s depot in Bukavu was being looted, with large crowds carrying food sacks, while the city’s main prison had been emptied as of Saturday. Social media videos showed soldiers evacuating from the area to avoid “carnage” like in Goma, where 3,000 people were killed.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged dialogue between the warring parties, warning that the risk of regional war rises with more cities falling. France and Belgium have also condemned the M23 offensive on Bukavu.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/un-chief-says-dialogue-must-begin-between-warring-parties-eastern-congo-2025-02-15