Bernard Maheshe Byamungu, a sanctioned leader of the M23 rebel group, appeared outside the South Kivu governor’s office in Bukavu, declaring intentions to “clean up the disorder left over from the old regime.” His remarks were met with cheers from a small crowd as some urged the rebels to “go all the way to Kinshasa,” Congo’s capital, located nearly 1,000 miles away.

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For the first time, Congo’s communications ministry acknowledged the occupation of Bukavu on social media, stating that the national government was “doing everything possible to restore order and territorial integrity” in the region.

Blaise Byamungu, a resident of Bukavu, described the city as “abandoned by all the authorities” and criticized the government’s inaction, questioning if it was waiting for the rebels to take control of other towns before responding.

Rising Concerns of Regional Escalation

The situation in Bukavu reflects a shift in M23’s strategy, which analysts believe now involves a quest for political power, unlike in 2012, when the group temporarily seized Goma before retreating due to international pressure.

The M23 rebellion is rooted in longstanding ethnic conflicts in the region. The group claims to defend ethnic Tutsis in Congo, while Rwanda alleges that Tutsis are being persecuted by Hutus and remnants of militias responsible for the 1994 genocide that killed 800,000 Tutsis and others in Rwanda. These Hutu groups, who fled to Congo after the genocide, later formed the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia.

Rwanda has accused the Congolese military of collaborating with the FDLR, an allegation Congo firmly denies.

Adding to the complexity, the M23’s new leader, Corneille Nangaa, is not Tutsi, which analysts say gives the group a “more diverse, Congolese face”, challenging its image as a Rwanda-backed militia defending Tutsi minorities.

Congo’s President, Felix Tshisekedi, reiterated his government’s claim of control over Bukavu while warning of the potential for a regional expansion of the conflict.

International Reactions and Regional Implications

Congo’s military is receiving support from South African troops in Goma and Burundian forces in Bukavu. However, Burundi’s President, Evariste Ndayishimiye, signaled on social media that his country would not retaliate in the ongoing clashes.

The escalating conflict was a major topic at the African Union summit in Ethiopia over the weekend, where U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the violence could spiral into a regional crisis.

Despite growing tensions, African leaders and the international community have been hesitant to take decisive action against M23 or Rwanda, which boasts one of Africa’s most formidable militaries. Calls for a ceasefire and dialogue between the Congolese government and M23 remain the dominant diplomatic approach.

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