M23 fighters enter Bukavu as Congolese and Burundian forces flee #rwanda #RwOT

The rebels advanced through Bagira commune in the northwest of Bukavu after capturing key areas in the province, including Kavumu and its airport.

Bukavu, a city spanning 45 square kilometers and home to approximately 1.3 million people, has been in a state of fear since M23's arrival. Many residents locked themselves inside their homes for safety.

A large number of Congolese government troops, part of the coalition forces in the region, fled the city using military vehicles or on foot. High-ranking officials, including civilian leaders, military officers, and police personnel, also abandoned their posts.

A security official told Jeune Afrique that both Congolese and Burundian troops retreated towards southeastern Bukavu, near the Kamanyola border between DRC and Burundi.

According to reports from inside the city, M23 fighters faced little resistance while entering Bukavu, as the Congolese army seemingly did not put up a fight. However, sporadic gunfire was heard on the outskirts of the city during the night.

Unlike in Goma, where intense battles were fought on its outskirts, Bukavu's infrastructure remains intact. Electricity and water supplies continue to function normally.

Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a coalition that includes M23, confirmed that their fighters had entered Bukavu. However, as of the morning of February 15, they had not taken full control of the city.

Bukavu holds significant strategic importance for the Congolese military. Losing it would force many of their soldiers to flee into neighboring Burundi, particularly the Cibitoke province.

For M23, capturing the entire city would mark a major victory, granting them control over the entire Congolese side of Lake Kivu. As they did in Goma after seizing it on January 27, 2025, M23 could install a new administration in South Kivu.

Reports from South Kivu suggest that the Congolese army's retreat from the city might be a tactical move to lure M23 into a trap, engaging them in combat once they are fully inside Bukavu.

It appears that M23 is proceeding cautiously, aiming to avoid heavy urban warfare that could result in significant civilian casualties.

Nangaa stated that on February 15, M23 forces would focus on what he called "cleansing the city," eliminating any threats that could compromise Bukavu's security.