Sun Feb 16 08:56:44 UTC 2025: ## M23 Rebels Seize Bukavu, DRC’s Second Largest City, Sparking Mass Exodus and International Condemnation

**Bukavu, DRC –** M23 rebels have captured Bukavu, the second-largest city in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), triggering widespread panic and a mass exodus of civilians. Local officials, security sources, and multiple witnesses confirmed the rebel presence on Sunday, a development the M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma also acknowledged.

The rapid advance, following the rebels’ seizure of Goma in late January, represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Reports indicate minimal resistance as the rebels, who previously took control of Kavumu airport, advanced into the city of over one million people. Eyewitnesses described scenes of looting, including at a World Food Programme depot, and reported violence, with civilians killed.

The fall of Bukavu has sparked international outrage. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged a halt to the regional escalation, emphasizing the need to preserve the DRC’s territorial integrity. The UK Foreign Office strongly condemned the M23’s actions, calling for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory, and a return to dialogue. The statement specifically highlighted the action as a violation of DRC’s sovereignty and a breach of the UN Charter.

The African Union (AU), currently holding its summit in Ethiopia, where the DRC conflict is a key agenda item, has faced criticism for its perceived slow response. While Rwanda denies supporting the M23, a UN report last year alleged Kigali maintains around 4,000 soldiers in the DRC and exercises de facto control over the rebel group. The situation remains volatile, with concerns growing over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the wake of the rebel advance.

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