Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels Occupy Bukavu in Eastern Congo

The rebel group expands its control to Bukavu, South Kivu's capital, as Congolese forces retreat, raising fears of regional escalation.

M23 rebels, supported by an estimated 4,000 Rwandan troops, have entered Bukavu, Congo's second-largest eastern city, following their capture of Goma in January.
The Congolese government confirmed the rebels' presence in Bukavu, stating that troops withdrew to avoid urban combat, leaving the city vulnerable to looting and chaos.
The conflict has displaced over six million people in the region, creating the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with at least 350,000 left homeless after recent advances.
The African Union and UN Secretary-General António Guterres have called for a ceasefire and warned that the conflict risks escalating into a regional war.
M23 claims to defend ethnic Tutsis, while Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels to exploit the region's rich mineral resources, a charge Rwanda denies.