Sun Feb 16 13:30:54 UTC 2025: ## M23 Rebels Seize Control of Bukavu, Eastern Congo
**Bukavu, Congo –** M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have taken control of much of Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo, following a swift advance on February 16th, 2025. The rebels encountered minimal resistance from Congolese forces, many of whom fled, leaving behind a city where some residents reportedly cheered the rebels’ arrival. While the extent of the rebels’ control remains unclear, their presence in the city center marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Witnesses reported seeing scores of residents welcoming the M23 rebels in the city center, although other areas remained deserted. The rebels’ capture of Bukavu follows their seizure of Goma late last month. Analysts suggest this time the rebels’ ambitions extend beyond military gains, potentially aiming for political power.
The Congolese presidency, in a statement on X, acknowledged a “brief” invasion but insisted that Bukavu remains under the control of the Congolese army and allied local militias. However, reports from the ground indicated little to no presence of Congolese forces in much of the city on Sunday. President Felix Tshisekedi convened an emergency security meeting in Kinshasa, expressing concern about the conflict’s potential regional expansion.
Congolese forces are receiving support from Burundi and South Africa in different parts of the region, but Burundi’s president appeared to rule out any retaliatory action against Rwanda.
The M23, one of over 100 armed groups vying for control of Congo’s resource-rich east, claims to be protecting ethnic Tutsis. This conflict is rooted in decades-long ethnic tensions and accusations of Rwandan support for the rebels, claims that Rwanda denies. The ongoing fighting raises concerns about regional instability and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in eastern Congo.
First Piper 