Rwanda-Backed Rebels Strengthen Control Over Second Major Congolese City

Rwanda-backed rebel forces have tightened their hold on a second major city in the Democratic Republic of Congo, intensifying the ongoing conflict in the region.

On Monday, Rwanda-backed rebels strengthened their hold on Bukavu, following their capture of the second major city in eastern Congo. The city’s residents seemed resigned to life under the new leadership.

On Sunday, M23 rebels seized control of a city with 1.3 million residents following its evacuation by Congolese forces. Located 63 miles (101 kilometers) south of Goma, Bukavu was captured after the fall of Goma to the rebels in late January.

The M23 stands out as the most notable among over 100 armed factions competing for dominance in eastern Congo, a region rich with mineral resources valued in trillions of dollars and essential to global technology. U.N. experts report that these rebels receive backing from approximately 4,000 troops originating from neighboring Rwanda.

The ongoing conflict, which has spanned several decades, has displaced over 6 million people in the region and led to the world’s most significant humanitarian crisis.

As the rebels advanced into Bukavu, the streets became crowded with residents trying to escape and looters hurriedly stuffing flour sacks with whatever they could grab. Later, a heavy silence descended as locals and business owners prepared for M23’s arrival in the city center.

On Monday morning, individuals slowly began to emerge once more as the rebels monitored major intersections throughout the city.

“Fear stemming from the insecurity continues to keep people indoors, preventing a return to normal business operations,” David Balezi, a shopkeeper in Bukavu, explained to The Associated Press.

On Monday morning, the border crossing from Bukavu to Rwanda was closed. Additionally, most shops and stores were shut down while traffic slowly began to return to normal levels.

David Munyaga, a resident of Bukavu, expressed gratitude for the current situation being stable, despite uncertainties about the future. He added that they would adapt to whatever unfolds.

On Monday, Erasto Bahati Musanga, the governor appointed by the rebels for North-Kivu province, announced that the ports of Goma and Bukavu would reopen on Tuesday. Lake Kivu—one of Africa’s largest lakes—had been closed to navigation since late January during a rebel offensive on Goma.

In Goma, an area under rebel control, hundreds of protesters assembled to demand the withdrawal of both the U.N. peacekeeping force in Congo, MONUSCO, and troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which spans countries from Congo to South Africa.

The protesters staged a sit-in outside the MONUSCO headquarters in Goma, with several holding signs and chanting slogans demanding the resignation of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi.

“The conflict in Congo continues, and one must ask why,” said protester Bauma Sukali. “They don’t belong here; they should leave.”

Another protester, Fiston Nsabimana, stated: “Tshisekedi cannot maintain peace; he should step down from power.”