GOMA, Congo — On Saturday, a wave of fear spread through Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo, as thousands of residents and soldiers attempted to flee from the advancing forces of the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group.
Following the rebels’ entry into the city’s outskirts, many streets were crowded with people seeking to escape, while looters took advantage of the chaos, filling sacks with flour and other essentials. As the day progressed, the atmosphere shifted from one of frantic movement to silence as locals and business owners prepared themselves for the uncertain future ahead.
Despite the upheaval, M23 had not overtly established control over Bukavu by Saturday. The group did not replicate the previous day’s actions when they took over an airport on the city’s periphery.
Residents reported that gunfire had ceased after Congolese forces abandoned their positions and retreated to the south. “We are no longer hearing the sounds of gunfire that filled the air earlier,” Bukavu resident Alexis Bisimwa relayed via telephone.
Many locals expressed horror upon discovering bodies burned beyond recognition in the streets—victims of the looting as the absence of security left a dangerous vacuum. Alain Iragi, one of the fleeing residents, recounted, “They incinerated the ammunition they couldn’t carry with them.”
Reports and videos circulating on social media depicted widespread looting of factories, empty prisons, and largely uninterrupted electricity and communication services throughout most areas. “It’s disgraceful. Some citizens have fallen victim to stray bullets. Even soldiers still stationed here are heavily involved in the looting,” remarked a young resident from an affected neighborhood.
The Congo River Alliance, made up of several rebel factions including M23, placed the blame for the turmoil on Congolese soldiers and their allied militias from Burundi. “We urge residents to maintain order in their city and resist panic,” urged Lawrence Kanyuka, a spokesperson for the alliance, in a statement.
Pierre Bahizi, the newly proclaimed governor of Bukavu from the rebel group, appealed for calm among city residents, encouraging them to unify efforts to restore some semblance of order. “We must not relinquish control to chaos,” he stated.
M23 continues to move southward, having already captured Goma last month, and its operations now entail an unprecedented territorial expansion that presents a significant challenge to the central government in Kinshasa. Securing Bukavu could invite increased scrutiny from the international community, which is currently distracted by multiple global crises. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of M23 forces, and the return of Congolese authorities to Bukavu.
The ongoing conflict has led to the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands more, with at least 350,000 internally displaced individuals currently lacking adequate shelter, according to both U.N. and Congolese reports.
The rebels show no signs of halting their advance. Just the day prior, they claimed to have taken control of the airport serving Bukavu, located in the adjacent town. However, it remains unverified who actually controls this key strategic site, which is vital for resupplying troops and delivering humanitarian aid. The Congo River Alliance stated that M23 acquired the airport to thwart potential airstrikes on civilians by Congolese forces.
Government officials and local leaders have yet to comment on these developments, but Congo’s Communications Ministry mentioned that the rebels had breached ceasefire agreements and targeted Congolese troops endeavoring to avoid violent confrontations in the area. There have been multiple reports of looting and disorder since local soldiers abandoned their posts in Kavumu to head towards the city, mirroring events leading to M23’s capture of Goma last month. The Congolese military, despite its resources, has consistently struggled with issues related to training, coordination, and corruption.
Concern is growing among African leaders regarding the potential for escalating conflict. The situation was a focal point during the African Union summit in Ethiopia, where U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned that the crisis could spiral into wider regional violence. “It is critical to avoid any further escalation,” Guterres reinforced. “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Congo must be upheld.”
Nonetheless, decisive action against M23 or Rwanda has not been forthcoming from African leaders or the international community. Although Guterres emphasized that resolving the conflict lies within Africa, leaders have differing opinions on how to effectively satisfy the various involved parties.
Despite widespread calls for a ceasefire, the rebellion has exacerbated longstanding tensions in the Great Lakes region. Troops from Burundi and the Southern African Development Community are currently supporting Congolese forces, while Ugandan troops are engaged with other rebel factions in different areas of eastern Congo where civilian attacks have also been reported.
In Ituri, situated several hundred kilometers north of where M23 is advancing, Ugandan soldiers are pursuing members of an Islamist group known as the Allied Democratic Forces.
The threat of severe escalation loomed on Saturday, as Ugandan military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba issued a warning to all armed forces in the provincial capital, demanding their surrender within 24 hours, or face imminent attack by the Ugandan Army. “Failure to comply will result in us regarding them as enemies,” Kainerugaba announced.
