We bring you an urgent update on the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In recent weeks, M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have escalated their offensive in the country’s eastern regions, leading to an unprecedented expansion of their territorial control.

Key Events:

* Advance on Bukavu: M23 rebels have entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo, seizing the provincial administrative office in South Kivu with little resistance. Witnesses reported contrasting reactions, with some residents welcoming the rebels while others fled in fear.

* Occupation and Promises: After securing Bukavu, the rebels positioned themselves at the governor’s office, pledging to “clean up the disorder left by the previous regime.”

* Government Response: The Congolese government acknowledged the occupation of Bukavu but stated it is “doing everything possible to restore order and territorial integrity.” President Félix Tshisekedi convened a security meeting in the capital, Kinshasa.

* Accusations Against Rwanda: The Congolese government accused Rwanda of orchestrating a plan to “occupy, plunder, and commit crimes and severe human rights violations” on Congolese soil. UN experts estimate that around 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are supporting the rebels. Rwanda denies military support for M23 but claims that radical Hutu groups in the DRC pose a security threat.

* International Concerns: The rebel advance has raised alarms globally. The UK warned that the offensive risks triggering “a wider regional conflict” and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of all Rwandan forces from Congolese territory. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has cautioned that the conflict could spiral into a broader regional conflagration.

* Humanitarian Impact: Fighting has displaced more than six million people in the region, creating the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

Context:

M23 is the most prominent among over 100 armed groups vying for control over eastern Congo’s vast mineral wealth. The group claims to defend ethnic Tutsis in Congo, but the conflict is deeply rooted in decades-long ethnic tensions and regional rivalries.

Outlook:

The situation remains fluid and unpredictable. It is unclear whether the rebels will fully seize control of Bukavu. Analysts suggest that, unlike in 2012 when they briefly captured Goma, the rebels may now be seeking political power. The international community has been hesitant to take decisive action against M23 or Rwanda. The crisis in the DRC has been a key topic of discussion at the African Union summit in Ethiopia.

We will continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds.

Sources:

South China Morning Post, NPR, ABC News, Al Jazeera, France24, New York Times.