M23 Rebels Advance on Bukavu Amid Gunfire, Looting

Chaos continues to engulf Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as the M23 rebel group advances and residents report widespread gunfire and looting, including at a World Food Programme depot. M23 rebels claim to have captured Kavumu airport and made significant territorial gains, leading to fears of a broader conflict in the region, especially following threats from Uganda's army chief. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need to prevent a regional escalation and respect the DRC's sovereignty during an African Union summit. The European Union has also raised concerns about the violation of the DRC's territorial integrity, warning that it will not go unanswered. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced due to the fighting, with residents expressing despair and fear for their safety. The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels to exploit the DRC's natural resources, a claim Rwanda denies.