M23 fighters have seized Kavumu airport near Bukavu, facing little resistance from Congolese forces. Following their advances, Congolese President Tshisekedi is attending the Munich Security Conference for international support, while the M23 conflict will be discussed at the upcoming African Union summit. Since the fall of Goma, the situation has worsened, displacing thousands and igniting protests against perceived foreign interference.
M23 rebel fighters have successfully captured Kavumu airport, which serves the eastern Congolese city of Bukavu and is a crucial military and logistical hub for government operations. The airport was the last significant barrier to the rebels advancing into Bukavu, a city of over one million residents, located approximately 30 kilometers from the airport. Following this seizure, the Congolese military personnel reportedly withdrew, facing minimal resistance from the advancing rebels.
In addition to the airport, the M23 forces have also taken control of the nearby town of Katana, roughly 11 kilometers away. This advancement occurs just prior to the upcoming African Union summit in Ethiopia, where the ongoing conflict in the DRC will be a central agenda item. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi had been expected to attend the summit but will instead be replaced by the Prime Minister, while Tshisekedi focuses on garnering international support at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
Despite a previously declared unilateral ceasefire by the M23 coalition, fighting resumed shortly after a brief pause. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the African Union’s outgoing chair, stressed the need for a ceasefire in Eastern DRC, asserting that military action alone cannot resolve the conflict. The ongoing violence, which has intensified since the M23’s capture of Goma earlier this year, poses severe humanitarian risks and has led to the displacement of around 350,000 individuals according to the UN Refugee Agency.
The recent escalation of the conflict has incited widespread protests in Kinshasa, where demonstrators have targeted the United Nations and foreign embassies, expressing their frustrations regarding perceived foreign interference in DRC affairs. The deteriorating security situation surrounding Bukavu and the advancements of M23 forces ultimately raise significant questions regarding regional stability and international intervention.
In summary, the seizure of Kavumu airport by M23 rebels marks a significant escalation in their military operations in the DRC, jeopardizing the stability of Bukavu. Concurrently, the political landscape is shifting with President Tshisekedi focusing on international diplomacy while leaving domestic matters to his Prime Minister amidst rising tensions. The violent unrest and humanitarian crisis underline the urgent need for effective diplomatic solutions and the preservation of peace in the region.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
