Native officers and witnesses report seeing rebels enter the jap DRC’s second largest metropolis after a fast advance.
Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have entered Bukavu, the second-largest metropolis within the jap Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), after advancing quickly within the nation.
A neighborhood official, a safety supply, and 5 witnesses reported seeing the rebels there on Sunday, whereas a spokesperson for the militia instructed the Reuters information company: “We’re there.”
The armed group had been advancing on the capital of South Kivu province since seizing the town of Goma in late January. The autumn of Bukavu, if confirmed, would characterize probably the most important enlargement of territory below the M23’s management for the reason that newest armed rise up began in 2022.
M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma mentioned in a phone message that the group was within the metropolis.
The Congolese military didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
“I’m at dwelling, and I can see with my very own eyes the M23 coming into our city,” an area official mentioned, talking on situation of anonymity for safety causes.
Claude Bisimwa, a Bukavu resident, was transporting the our bodies of two slain males who have been hit by bullets “inside … their home”.
“They have been of their room. We’re taking their our bodies to the morgue. These weren’t stray bullets – the soldier did this out of his personal will,” Bisimwa instructed Al Jazeera.
As panic swept by way of the town, there have been studies of widespread looting, together with at a World Meals Programme depot, whereas 1000’s of civilians fled.
A day earlier, the rebels took management of Kavumu airport serving Bukavu. They reportedly confronted minimal resistance as they superior by way of the city.
The airport was the final important navy barrier for the insurgent forces earlier than reaching Bukavu, a metropolis of multiple million folks.
The event comes because the African Union (AU) summit continues in Ethiopia. The battle within the DRC has been a key matter of dialogue on the annual two-day assembly.
Addressing the summit, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres mentioned a “regional escalation should be prevented in any respect prices” and the DRC’s “territorial integrity” should be preserved.
The AU has been criticised for its timid strategy, and observers have demanded extra decisive motion in the direction of the battle.
Rwanda denies giving navy help to M23 however has accused hardline Hutu teams in DRC of threatening its safety. A report by UN consultants mentioned final 12 months Kigali maintained about 4,000 troopers within the DRC and had de facto management of the insurgent group.
