Rwanda’s M23 rebel group underened by Rwandan support conducted a dramatic military operation by seizing Bukavu which serves as the capital of South Kivu province on Sunday February 16, 2025. The rebel forces now control two important cities after they captured Goma in late January as well as Bukavu during this month.
Widespread panic ensued when Congolese soldiers together with civilians escaped under disorderly conditions while looting occurred across the region. The M23 rebels marched 100 kilometers from Goma to Bukavu where they patrolled the city center according to Associated Press reporters while they received cheers from selected residents. Most city sectors became empty as numerous residents kept inside their homes.
Among over 100 rampage groups active in eastern Congo the M23 stands out as the main force with an estimated 4,000 Rwandan soldiers supporting them. Research shows that the recent military offensive by M23 signifies their evolution past ethnic claims toward achieving political control. 
During a security session in Kinshasa Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi declared that Bukavu continued to be under government control in the face of rebel advances. The military forces from Conge soften their defense line with assistance coming from Burundi and South Africa in their actions against the rebels.
The ethnic divide between Tutsi and Hutu groups has reached a conflict stage that threatens worsening destabilization throughout the region. Rwandan officials assert that Congo has brought Hutu fighters from the 1994 genocide into their national army although Kinshasa officials reject this allegation.
A worsening humanitarian disaster has increased demands from the international community to act as the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo faces more regional destabilization.
