M23 Rebels Gain Control of Bukavu, Expanding Territory in Eastern DRC

The armed group, backed by Rwanda, now controls key cities in the resource-rich Kivu region, raising fears of further regional destabilization.

The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwandan forces, has taken Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, following their earlier capture of Goma in North Kivu.
Congolese forces withdrew from Bukavu before the rebels' arrival, leaving the city with little resistance and sparking widespread chaos and looting.
The capture of Bukavu gives the M23 control over the entire Lake Kivu region, a critical hub for trade and mineral resources, including coltan used in electronics.
International organizations, including the African Union and the United Nations, have called for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of M23 forces, warning of potential regional escalation.
Thousands of residents have fled Bukavu to neighboring Burundi, while those remaining face uncertainty under the rebels' new administration.