The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has escalated as the Tutsi-led M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, has seized the city of Goma, a significant urban center in the mineral-rich region. This recent takeover marks a troubling development in a long history of violence and instability in the area, with the Congolese government accusing Rwanda of inciting turmoil to exploit local resources—a claim that Rwanda has firmly rejected.
The M23, which briefly occupied Goma in 2012, is now poised to extend its influence further by targeting Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. Bukavu, located near the Rwandan border and at the southern tip of Lake Kivu, plays a crucial role in the local mineral trade. The rebel fighters reportedly advanced toward the city, capturing the airport located approximately 30 kilometers north of Bukavu as Congolese forces and their allied militia withdrew with little resistance.
Heavy fighting erupted on the outskirts of Bukavu, according to Jean Elekano, the Deputy Governor of South Kivu. As the situation deteriorated, residents were advised to stay indoors for their safety. The conflict has also been marked by gruesome violence in nearby areas, with reports emerging of 70 bodies discovered in a church in the village of Mayba, allegedly tied up. While local reports attribute this atrocity to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic State-linked group, the BBC has not independently verified these claims.
In a speech at the Munich Security Conference, DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi condemned Rwanda for its alleged "expansionist ambitions" and called for international sanctions against the country. He emphasized the need to protect the DRC’s strategic resources from foreign exploitation, stating, "We will no longer put up with our strategic resources being plundered for the benefit of foreign interests under the complicit gaze of those who feed on chaos."
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has defended his country’s military presence in the DRC, arguing that it is necessary for national security due to threats from Hutu rebels operating in the region. He has dismissed the possibility of sanctions as unfounded.
As tensions rise, African leaders are set to convene at an African Union summit in Ethiopia, where discussions about the ongoing conflict are expected to take center stage. Moussa Faki Mahamat, head of the African Union Commission, has stressed the importance of observing a ceasefire, asserting that military solutions will not resolve the underlying issues.
The situation in eastern DRC remains precarious, with the potential for further violence and instability as the M23 continues its advance and regional tensions persist. The international community is closely monitoring developments, as the humanitarian impact of the conflict continues to grow.