M23 Rebels Advance Into Eastern Congo’s City of Bukavu

M23 rebels, reportedly supported by Rwanda, made significant progress on Sunday, advancing into the centre of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo with minimal resistance from government forces, according to both witnesses and the rebel group. The city of Bukavu was seized by the rebel group by midday. The rebels have been striving to capture Bukavu since taking Goma at the end of January. This development further challenges the authority of the Congolese government in the eastern part of the country.
The Congolese government acknowledged the presence of the rebels in Bukavu and suggested that Rwandan troops may have also entered the city, although it refrained from asserting that the city was fully under rebel control. In an official statement, the government expressed concern over Rwanda’s actions, accusing it of pursuing a strategy that could lead to occupation and the commission of serious human rights violations.
The rapid progress of the rebels since the beginning of the year, coupled with the involvement of foreign troops, has raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict. These tensions are deeply rooted in historical issues related to power, identity, and resource control, which have been ongoing since the 1990s, particularly following the Rwandan genocide.
Rwanda has rejected accusations from Congo and Western powers that its military is directly supporting the M23 rebels, asserting instead that it is defending itself from threats posed by a Hutu militia that is allegedly allied with the Congolese military. The British Foreign Ministry has expressed concern that the presence of both M23 and Rwandan Defence Force troops in Bukavu could escalate the situation, potentially leading to broader regional instability with severe humanitarian consequences.
Unlike the intense conflict surrounding the capture of Goma, which led to significant loss of life, there were no immediate reports of violence in Bukavu on Sunday. Local residents noted the movement of M23 forces through central districts without encountering significant opposition.
The recent territorial gains made by the rebels in North and South Kivu have resulted in control over more land than any other rebel faction since the end of Congo’s two major wars (1996–2003). These advances have also given them access to key mineral resources in the region.
Congo remains a major global producer of cobalt, a critical resource for electric vehicle and mobile phone batteries. Additionally, it ranks as the third-largest producer of copper and possesses substantial reserves of coltan, lithium, tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold. Given the understanding of how mineral-rich the DRC is, the intentions become obvious. The M23 is acting on behalf of a much larger power that seeks to exploit these valuable resources.