- Rebels seize Bukavu, DRC's 2nd largest city
- Govt troops forced to retreat
- DRC govt yet to confirm takeover
Rebel forces from the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes the M23 armed group, have reportedly taken control of key parts of Bukavu, the second-largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Residents of the city informed CNN that the fighters have been advancing with the aim of expanding their presence in the mineral-rich region.
A statement from the AFC rebel coalition on Saturday claimed that the group had seized the Kavumu airport in South Kivu and forced government forces to retreat in “disarray,” abandoning the city of Bukavu. The group’s spokesperson, Victor Tesongo, confirmed on Sunday that they had gained control of the city.
“We have control of Bukavu since this morning,” Tesongo said in the interview with CNN.
Locals also reported looting and heavy fighting on the streets. One resident, Elie Cirhuza, who lives near the city center, stated that he saw M23 fighters walking the streets on Sunday and heard them announce they would “soon begin to restore order in the city.” Cirhuza also noted that he had not seen any government troops in the area, explaining, “I have not yet seen any government soldiers because downstairs from my house is where they gathered the night before yesterday to flee.”
In response, DRC military spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge Ekenge confirmed to Reuters on Friday that government forces had retreated from Bukavu after the rebels took over the airport. Another resident, Isaac Musharhamina Goldman, reported that the rebels had gained control of key locations, including the provincial governor’s office, residence, and other strategic points such as the Saïo military camp and the National Communication and Satellite Network site. Goldman also confirmed that the rebels controlled the two border entrances.
Local reports indicate that the provincial governor, Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, fled Bukavu before the rebels moved into the city. CNN has reached out to him for a comment.
The rebels’ swift advance into Bukavu follows their earlier takeover of Goma, the capital of neighboring North Kivu province, on January 27. Fighting in Goma between the rebels and DRC forces resulted in over 3,000 deaths, according to government estimates. Tesongo described the takeover of both Goma and Bukavu as a major territorial gain, with the two cities collectively housing more than three million people, making them among the most populous in the country.
The DRC government and several Western nations have accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting M23, a group made up primarily of ethnic Tutsis who left the Congolese army over a decade ago. Rwandan President Paul Kagame denied his government’s involvement, telling CNN earlier this month that he was unaware of any Rwandan troops being present in DRC.
Since 2022, M23 has been leading a renewed insurgency, claiming to protect the interests of minority Rwandophone communities, including Tutsis. The group has taken control of large portions of territory in North Kivu, which shares borders with both Rwanda and Uganda. The rebels have also seized resource-rich areas, such as Nyabibwe and Rubaya, which are home to some of the world’s largest coltan deposits. Coltan is a crucial mineral used in the manufacturing of smartphones.
Despite calls for a ceasefire from international and regional leaders, the AFC rebels have continued to expand their territorial control, showing little sign of halting their pursuit of resources and territory.
