M23 rebels, backed by Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF), are pushing deeper into eastern Congo, setting their sights on Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, just days after seizing Goma. The United Nations now warns that the insurgents are advancing at an alarming pace, with just 60 kilometers separating them from Bukavu’s key airport, Kavumu.
The Congolese military, already weakened after Goma’s fall, is scrambling to fortify defensive positions, emptying bases in Bukavu and recruiting civilians to bolster resistance. Yet, the rebels continue their scorched-earth campaign, taking over schools, hospitals, and forcibly recruiting locals for battle. In Minova, a crucial trading hub, reports emerge of displaced civilians expelled from camps, forced into hard labor or combat roles under rebel command.
As the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) winds down its presence, the crisis spirals further into chaos. The latest estimates put the death toll at 700 in under a week, with thousands more wounded and nearly 300,000 displaced. Meanwhile, Goma remains in turmoil—essential services are slowly returning, but the airport remains in ruins after sustaining heavy damage.
With diplomatic efforts failing and regional tensions escalating, will Bukavu be the next city to fall? Or is the Congolese government prepared to make its last stand?
