The conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has escalated as Rwanda-backed rebels from the M23 group press forward in their rapid offensive, threatening to take control of the key city of Bukavu.

The rebels, who have already claimed to capture Goma in North Kivu province, have vowed to push onward until they reach the capital, Kinshasa.

M23 leader Corneille Nangaa made a defiant statement, declaring, “We will continue the march of liberation all the way to Kinshasa.” This announcement came just days after the group asserted control over Goma, where intense fighting left dozens dead. Reports indicate that surrendering Congolese soldiers were transported out of the city to an undisclosed location.

Local sources reported that M23 fighters were advancing toward the strategically significant military airport in Kavumu, situated about 40km (25 miles) north of Bukavu.

The United Nations voiced alarm, with a spokesperson warning of “credible reports” that M23 rebels were “moving rapidly” towards Bukavu, a city home to two million people.

The crisis has drawn sharp international scrutiny, with UN experts asserting that M23’s strength is bolstered by some 4,000 Rwandan soldiers. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Rwanda of exploiting the mineral-rich region for its resources, a claim Kigali denies.

Instead, Rwanda maintains that its military efforts are focused on eliminating armed groups linked to the 1994 genocide, accusing the Congolese military of aligning with ethnic Hutu-led militias that pose a threat to Tutsis.

The rebels claim they are open to negotiations with the Congolese government, but Congolese Defence Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita rejected this notion outright. In a video statement earlier this week, he declared that any plans for dialogue with the rebels should be “burned immediately.”

SADC Convenes To Discuss DRC Conflict

As the crisis intensifies, the regional bloc Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an emergency summit in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, on Friday.

The urgent meeting follows rising tensions between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, particularly after the deaths of 13 South African soldiers in the conflict zone.

Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe issued a stark warning on Thursday, stating, “We are ready to defend ourselves if we are attacked by a coalition including South African forces.”

Goma, now under rebel control, remains largely without electricity and running water, while bodies of alleged government soldiers have been seen in the streets. The M23 offensive has also triggered a worsening humanitarian disaster.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that half a million people have been displaced this month alone, exacerbating existing shortages of food, water, and medical aid. Amy Pope, Director General of the IOM, underscored the severity of the situation.

“Millions of people were already displaced by years of conflict in eastern DRC, and humanitarian needs were massive. With the current alarming upsurge in fighting, an already dire situation is rapidly becoming very much worse.”
Amy Pope

The unfolding crisis continues to pose a major threat to stability in the region, with analysts warning that without a diplomatic resolution, the conflict could spiral into a broader war involving neighboring countries. Meanwhile, civilians in eastern DRC remain caught in the crossfire, facing an increasingly desperate struggle for survival.