Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Fear has gripped the streets of Bukavu as thousands of civilians and Congolese soldiers fled in panic on Saturday, anticipating the imminent arrival of rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23), backed by Rwanda. The collapse of security has thrown the city of 1.3 million into turmoil, with reports of looting, fires, and widespread violence.
AfricaHeadline Reports Team
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The rebel offensive, which has already secured control of Goma, is now pushing south, leaving destruction and desperation in its wake. As government forces retreated, checkpoints were abandoned, warehouses ransacked, and civilians left to fend for themselves. A chaotic exodus unfolded, with families desperately trying to escape, while those who remained locked their doors and barricaded their homes, fearing reprisal attacks.
A City on the Brink
Although M23 has not officially claimed control of Bukavu, the lack of an effective military response has already turned the city into a lawless zone. With government troops in full retreat, the power vacuum has been swiftly filled by criminal gangs, indiscriminate looting, and sporadic clashes.
“We saw burned bodies in the streets, looters taking whatever they could, and soldiers abandoning their posts,” said Alain Iragi, a resident who managed to flee to a safer area.
Factories have been ransacked, prisoners reportedly freed en masse, and security forces have either withdrawn or turned to looting themselves. Despite the chaos, electricity and communication lines remain operational in most parts of the city.
A Weakening State
M23’s advance poses a new test for Kinshasa. Following the capture of Goma, the potential fall of Bukavu would not only expand the rebels’ control but also further expose the fragility of the central government. Despite having one of Africa’s largest armies, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains crippled by corruption, disorganization, and a lack of training—leaving its forces vulnerable to insurgents.
The withdrawal from Bukavu was chaotic. Soldiers abandoned weapons and ammunition in their rush to escape, allowing militia groups and local criminal factions to seize control of some areas.
“The military simply fled, leaving the city at the mercy of criminals,” said a 25-year-old witness to the looting.
International Reactions and Global Inaction
The worsening crisis in eastern Congo has drawn international concern, yet no concrete intervention has been announced. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate ceasefire and the return of Congolese forces to Bukavu, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the risk of a broader regional conflict.
“This escalation must be avoided at all costs. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be respected,” Guterres stated at the African Union summit in Ethiopia.
Troops from Burundi and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have been deployed to support Congolese forces, while Uganda continues its operations against other armed groups in the north.
A Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
The war has already claimed nearly 3,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. With approximately 350,000 internally displaced people left without shelter and humanitarian infrastructure stretched to the breaking point, the crisis is worsening by the day.
As Bukavu faces an uncertain fate, fears grow that it could follow Goma’s trajectory—falling under rebel control and further exacerbating the suffering of civilians.
With the government’s grip weakening and the international community hesitant to intervene, the war rages on. And with it, the tragedy of a people trapped in a cycle of violence, neglect, and indifference.
