Rebels from the M23 group, supported by Rwanda, have made significant advances in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), culminating in their entry into Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province.

Over the past few days, M23 fighters have moved southward, entering the Kazingu and Bagira zones of the city, which has a population of approximately 1 million.

Reports indicate that gunfire erupted as the rebels approached the city center, although they faced minimal resistance, prompting shops and businesses to close and civilians to flee.

This strategic move comes on the heels of the group’s recent capture of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, in a rapid offensive reminiscent of their previous seizure of Kabamba and the key commercial center of Katana along the N2 road.

Local residents reported that M23 forces are blocking roads and have effectively taken control of Kavumu airport.

Airport personnel noted that the facility has been emptied of Congolese military equipment, as troops evacuate back to Bukavu with personal belongings.

The capture of Bukavu would grant the M23 comprehensive control over the Lake Kivu region, amplifying concerns over the sustained instability in eastern DRC.

Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the Congo River Alliance—a coalition including M23—claims that these recent offensives are defensive in nature against militia attacks.

In the broader context, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi is attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany to garner international support against the ongoing conflict, while Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka represents him at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa.

Fighting in eastern DRC has intensified over the past three years, exacerbating a dire humanitarian crisis.

The United Nations reports that clashes have led to the destruction of approximately 70,000 emergency shelters across Goma and Minova, displacing around 350,000 people.

The M23 group is part of a series of Tutsi-led insurgent factions that have emerged in the resource-rich eastern region of the DRC, particularly following a 2003 peace deal aimed at ceasing conflicts that resulted in millions of deaths primarily due to hunger and disease.

Rwanda claims its involvement is focused on neutralizing fighters associated with the 1994 genocide, while the DRC government and multiple UN reports suggest Rwanda is exploiting the situation to access valuable minerals.

The conflict has attracted military involvement from various countries, including those participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Recently, Canada withdrew its military personnel, citing increasing security risks in Goma.

In a related tragic development, Delphin Katembo Vinywasiki, a renowned Congolese musician better known as Delcat Idengo, was killed in Goma while filming a music video.

Witnesses reported that he was shot in the head, with social media images depicting his body in military attire.

Vinywasiki was previously imprisoned for allegedly inciting violence against UN peacekeepers.

DRC government spokesman Patrick Muyaya condemned the killing, describing it as an abhorrent act and asserting that violence will not extinguish the resistance against ongoing conflicts in Goma and across the DRC.