Fri Feb 07 15:26:56 UTC 2025: ## M23 Rebels Threaten Key DRC Town, Raising Fears of Regional War

**Bukavu, DRC (February 7, 2025) –** The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group is poised to seize Kavumu, a key town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), escalating fears of a wider regional conflict. The UN has warned that the risk of violence spreading throughout the region is at an all-time high.

Following the M23 and Rwandan forces’ capture of Goma last week, they are now advancing into South Kivu province. This latest offensive has resulted in thousands of deaths and mass displacement, as Congolese forces struggle to contain the rebels’ advance. Kavumu, home to an airport crucial for supplying Congolese troops, is the last major obstacle before Bukavu, the provincial capital. Residents of Bukavu report mass exodus and preparation for potential looting.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated that nearly 3,000 deaths and 2,880 injuries have been confirmed since the M23 entered Goma on January 26th, with the final toll expected to be significantly higher. He also highlighted numerous allegations of rape and sexual slavery. A Swiss NGO reported the deaths of three local staff members in the conflict zone this week.

In Goma, the M23 has established its own administration and held a large public meeting, showcasing its ambition to “liberate all of the Congo.” The DRC has issued an international arrest warrant for Corneille Nangaa, the head of the River Congo Alliance, a political-military coalition that includes the M23.

A regional summit in Tanzania is scheduled for February 8th, bringing together Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC, alongside leaders from the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, in an attempt to de-escalate the crisis. However, previous peace talks have failed. A UN report last year implicated Rwanda in directly supporting the M23 and profiting from the smuggling of Congolese minerals. Rwanda denies these accusations. The ongoing conflict raises concerns of a regional war, given the involvement of several countries supporting the DRC militarily.

Read More