M23 rebels backed by Rwanda have taken control of the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Bukavu. The regional governor’s office has been seized, and residents cheered as fighters marched into the city center without resistance.
The Congolese government has acknowledged the fall of Bukavu and urged residents to stay at home to avoid being targeted by occupying forces. The UN and European countries have warned that this latest offensive could spark a wider regional war, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.
Local residents fear for their safety as children and youth took up arms, leading to looting and chaos. A resident who asked to remain anonymous reported hearing gunfire and explosions in the city.
The M23 rebels’ advance was met with little resistance, with Congolese troops withdrawing from urban areas to avoid fighting. The UN’s World Food Programme also reported that a warehouse with nearly 7,000 tonnes of food was looted.
Rwanda is accused by the Congolese government of backing the rebels and sowing chaos in the region for its own gain. President Félix Tshisekedi has called for sanctions against Rwanda’s leader Paul Kagame, who denies any wrongdoing and says his priority is security.
The African Union has urged the M23 to disarm, warning that an open regional war could have devastating consequences. The crisis highlights tensions between Rwanda and neighboring countries in the region over issues of territory, resources, and human rights.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0rqr8q5v52o