M23 Rebels Threaten to Advance to Bukavu

The M23 rebel group, alledgedy supported by Rwanda, made threats on Tuesday to advance towards Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They described the situation as “dangerously deteriorating” while Congo rejected a call for direct negotiations with the rebels.
If the M23 were to capture Bukavu, it would mark a significant and unprecedented expansion of their control and further weaken the authority of the Congolese government, especially after the fall of Goma, the largest city in the region, in late January. The ongoing conflict in South Kivu also raised concerns about the possibility of a wider war, with Burundian troops backing Congo and reports of additional Rwandan forces amassing near the border to assist the M23.
Despite a temporary halt in their advance towards Bukavu, after announcing a unilateral ceasefire, the M23 rebels maintained their demand for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Regional leaders called for direct talks between Congo’s government, led by President Felix Tshisekedi, and the M23 rebels. However, Tshisekedi’s UDPS party firmly rejected the idea of bilateral talks with the M23, insisting that negotiations must involve all armed groups in the region within a broader peace process led by the East African regional bloc.
Although the M23 had not made significant territorial gains since their capture of the mining town of Nyabibwe the previous week, the group remained vocal about their intentions. Lawrence Kanyuka, a spokesperson for the rebel alliance that includes the M23, said that the situation in Bukavu was worsening as civilians continued to suffer from violence and looting. He warned that if these actions persisted, the M23 would take decisive steps to eliminate the threat and protect the population.
The rebels’ violence escalated when they burned down a prison in Nyabibwe, releasing inmates, further destabilising the region. In a horrific act, several women in the prison were forced into brutal sexual violence before the prison was set ablaze. Many women, children, and babies were trapped inside and died in the fire, adding to the growing list of atrocities committed by the rebels. This brutal attack, which claimed innocent lives, further deepened the fear and anger among the local population and underscored the growing reach and ruthlessness of the M23.
Meanwhile, the security situation in South Kivu became even more chaotic, as reports emerged of Congolese soldiers abandoning their posts, looting villages, and attacking civilians. 
In response to this, a military court in Bukavu convened on Tuesday to review the cases of 272 detained soldiers and militia members. These individuals were facing charges related to looting and murder. A spokesperson for the Congolese army announced that an operation led by a regional military commander had resulted in the arrest of undisciplined soldiers involved in these actions.
As for the prison in Bukavu, the worsening security situation put immense pressure on local institutions. The presence of prisoners awaiting trial, including those involved in looting and violence, underscored the fragile stability in the region. The military court’s proceedings highlighted the increasing difficulty in maintaining order and security as both the M23 rebels and undisciplined soldiers posed a direct threat to civilian safety and governmental control.