Residents of Bukavu, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, found themselves engulfed in panic on Saturday as the advance of Rwandan-backed rebel forces prompted thousands to flee. Amidst the chaos, both locals and soldiers scrambled to escape the impending threat, leading to widespread disorder.
Desperate attempts to escape
The morning after M23 fighters reached the outskirts of Bukavu, streets were inundated with fleeing residents. Many sought to escape while others took advantage of the chaos, looting stores and filling sacks with flour and other supplies. As the day progressed, a heavy silence fell over the city, with both residents and business owners bracing for the unknown challenges that lay ahead.
“We’re no longer waiting for the crackling of bullets as we were during the day,”
said Alexis Bisimwa, a resident of Bukavu, describing a temporary calm that followed the withdrawal of Congolese troops from the city.
Bukavu, which houses approximately 1.3 million people and is situated about 100 kilometers south of the rebel-controlled city of Goma, witnessed shocking scenes. Residents reported seeing burnt corpses littering the streets, victims of violence that surged as a result of the chaos left by the departing soldiers. Alain Iragi, another resident, highlighted the alarming situation, stating, “They set fire to the ammunition they were unable to take with them.”
Growing unrest and international implications
Reports of looting and violence continued to rise, with social media posts revealing images of pillaged factories and empty prisons. Despite the turmoil, electricity and communication remained largely intact. Residents voiced their outrage, claiming that both civilians and some remaining soldiers were complicit in the rampant looting. One local described the situation as disgraceful, noting the danger posed by stray bullets.
The Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 rebel group, has attributed the turmoil to Congolese troops and their local militia allies. Lawrence Kanyuka, the alliance’s spokesperson, urged the populace to maintain control and avoid succumbing to fear.
In a related development, Pierre Bahizi, who has declared himself the new governor of Bukavu, called upon residents to remain calm and to organize themselves to restore order, stating, “We must not leave power in the street.”
The M23, bolstered by approximately 4,000 troops from Rwanda, is one of over 100 groups vying for dominance in the mineral-rich eastern Congo. Their territorial gains pose a significant challenge to the central government in Kinshasa. The potential capture of Bukavu brings into focus the need for the international community to address the situation, which has already resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and left hundreds of thousands displaced.
The unrest escalated as the M23 claimed control of an airport serving Bukavu, a critical supply route for Congolese forces and humanitarian operations. Although the exact status of the airport remains unclear, the rebels stated that their control was necessary to prevent airstrikes against civilians.
Government officials have so far refrained from commenting on the situation. However, Congo’s Communications Ministry accused the rebels of breaching ceasefire agreements and attacking troops trying to prevent urban violence.
As regional tensions heightened, the conflict was a focal point at the African Union summit in Ethiopia, where UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of maintaining the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Congo and avoiding regional escalation.
Despite widespread calls for a ceasefire, the situation remains volatile, with the potential for further conflict involving neighboring countries. Ugandan military forces, for instance, have warned of impending action against other armed groups in eastern Congo, highlighting the precarious balance of power in the region.