Mon Feb 17 20:42:35 UTC 2025: ## M23 Rebels Seize Bukavu, Raising Fears of Regional War
**Bukavu, DRC –** The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a deepening crisis as the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda according to UN experts, captured Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, on Sunday. This follows the group’s seizure of Goma in North Kivu last month, escalating fears of a wider regional conflict.
The M23, in a statement released Monday, pledged to restore security in Bukavu, claiming to have acted after the Congolese army abandoned the city. While some residents reportedly welcomed the rebels, thousands have fled to neighboring Burundi. The takeover occurred with minimal resistance, leaving the streets littered with debris after widespread looting.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reported the theft of 7,000 tonnes of food aid intended for vulnerable families, condemning the attack and urging all parties to respect international humanitarian law. Local business owners are struggling to recover after looting impacted their livelihoods. Despite the chaos, some economic activity has begun to resume in the city.
The rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu announced the reopening of ports in both Goma and Bukavu on Tuesday, and the lifting of a ban on navigation on Lake Kivu. However, the capture of Bukavu, a major commercial hub of 1.3 million people, is a significant blow to the Congolese government’s authority. The fighting between the M23 and the Congolese army has already resulted in thousands of deaths, according to the UN.
The M23’s continued advances, fueled by alleged Rwandan support, which Rwanda denies, have raised serious concerns about the potential for a wider regional war. The group is one of over 100 armed groups vying for control of the resource-rich eastern DRC. International pressure is mounting on all involved parties to de-escalate the situation and address the underlying causes of the conflict.
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