BUKAVU, Congo — On Monday, Rwanda-backed rebel forces reinforced their control over Bukavu, just a day after they took over the eastern Congolese city, which is home to approximately 1.3 million residents. The takeover occurred after Congolese military personnel abandoned the area, leaving the local populace feeling resigned to the changes imposed by the new rulers.
The M23 rebels, who have emerged as the leading faction among over 100 armed groups contending for dominance in eastern Congo’s mineral-rich terrain, had previously captured the city of Goma in late January. They are believed to be supported by around 4,000 soldiers from Rwanda, as indicated by U.N. expert assessments. The ongoing conflict in the region has forced over six million people to flee their homes, creating what is currently the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.
As the rebels advanced into Bukavu, waves of locals attempted to flee while looters hurriedly gathered supplies, filling flour sacks with available goods. An eerie silence enveloped the city once the rebels entered, prompting many residents and business owners to prepare for the M23’s imminent presence.
By Monday morning, some locals began to venture out again, even as rebel troops established a presence at key intersections across the city. “People are still scared to go out because of the insecurity, so it’s not business as usual yet,” explained David Balezi, a local shopkeeper, highlighting the profound impact of the ongoing turmoil on daily life.
The crossing point between Bukavu and Rwanda was shut down on Monday morning, along with the majority of shops, though traffic began to show signs of resurgence. Resident David Munyaga expressed a blend of gratitude and anxiety saying, “Now we thank God that the situation is OK, even if we don’t know what’s coming. Whatever happens, we will live with it.”
On the same day, Erasto Bahati Musanga, the newly appointed governor by the rebels in North-Kivu province, announced plans to reopen the ports of Goma and Bukavu on Tuesday. Navigation on Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s largest lakes, had been suspended since shortly before the M23 seized Goma.
In the rebel-controlled city of Goma, a large crowd gathered to demand the exit of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Congo, commonly referred to as MONUSCO, in addition to calling for the withdrawal of troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Protesters conducted a sit-in outside the MONUSCO headquarters, some holding placards and shouting slogans aimed at the resignation of President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
One participant in the demonstration, Bauma Sukali, voiced frustration over the ongoing conflict, stating, “The war does not end in Congo, why? They have nothing to do here, they should leave.” Another protester, Fiston Nsabimana, pointed out the government’s inability to restore peace, demanding that Tshisekedi relinquish power.
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Reporting from Goma, Congo.
