February 14, 2025 – M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in the Democratic Republic of Congo, after taking control of Kavumu airport, located to the north of the city. Rebel leader Corneille Nangaa confirmed the advance, adding that they would continue operations to “clean up” the city.
Earlier, the Congolese army confirmed that its troops had withdrawn from the area, leaving behind their equipment after the airport’s capture. The rebel group has been pushing south toward Bukavu since it took Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, in late January.
Local residents in Bukavu’s Bagira district reported seeing the rebels on the streets with no sign of fighting. One resident, Helene, described the scene, saying the soldiers wore different uniforms and that there had been no clashes after the army withdrew.
Congolese army spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge confirmed that troops had pulled back from the airport, but the military did not specify their new locations. Sources indicated that Congolese and Burundian soldiers had vacated Bukavu’s main military camp, Saio, to avoid conflict in the city’s populated areas.
The ongoing crisis is worsening the humanitarian situation in the region. The United Nations reported an increase in displaced people moving toward Bukavu, a city already home to nearly 1.3 million residents.
President Felix Tshisekedi, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, warned of the potential for the conflict to spill over into neighboring countries and called for Rwanda to be held accountable for its role in supporting the M23 rebels.
Rwanda has denied accusations from Congo, the United Nations, and Western nations, claiming it is simply defending itself against a Hutu-led militia allegedly fighting alongside Congolese forces.
