DR Congo city of Bukavu falls into M23 rebel’s hands
The Rwanda-backed M23 militia has entered the Congolese city of Bukavu, marking the rapid advance of the group in the region.
“They [the M23] are here”, Reuters was told on February 16th by President of the region of South Kivu, Jean Jacques Purusi, adding that the Congolese troops had retreated to avoid fighting in the city.
This is the second victory of the armed group after seizing Goma earlier in February. With the fall of Kivu – the second largest city of South Kivu and the capital of the former – the group has reached its most successful military campaign and has completed its largest land-grab.
The information was confirmed by the Congolese government that noted – again – the presence of Rwandan troops among the rebels but did not confirm that the city was at their hands.
“Rwanda is stubbornly pursuing its plan to occupy, pillage and commit crimes and serious human rights violations on our soil,” the official statement read.
The presence of the group was reported by witnesses and security sources, while a spokesperson for the militia also informed Reuters via message of its presence in the city.
According to further reporting of Al- Jazeera, the rebels’ senior commander was seen engaging with residents of Kivu, informing them that the city was now under control of the militia.
This follows reports of chaos spreading in the city with thousands of residents panicking and fleeing among scenes of looting – a situation that has now eased says Al-Jazeera.
While the group was acclaimed by some of the local population upon entering the city, the news agency suggested, other fear for their lives.
A resident of Bukavu told Al-Jazeera he had helped transport bodies of what appeared to be summary executions of victims “inside…their houses”.
In the meantime, the African Union summit continues in Ethiopia, in which the conflict in Eastern Congo is to be addressed by the parties.
Officials, including United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, have stressed the necessity to end attacks on the DRC’s territorial integrity as the UN recognizes Kigali’s support of M23.
Rwanda in turn, denies giving support to the M23 and accuses groups of the Hutu ethnicity (responsible for Rwandan Tutsi’s genocide) of threatening its security.
With six million people displaced in the region, the conflict is today the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Al-Jazeera, Reuters
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