M23, Congo and Bukavu

Bukavu in ruins as M23 rebels seize control of DR Congo’s South Kivu
Bukavu rises from chaos, but scars remain. Looters and rebels left devastation, yet merchants return, clinging to hope. As M23 advances, fear grips the region—will peace hold, or is worse to come?
M23 rebels advance into eastern Congo's strategic city of Bukavu
Rwandan-backed M23 rebels advanced on Sunday into the centre of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, meeting little resistance from government troops, witnesses and the armed group said, as Congo accused Rwanda of ignoring calls for a ceasefire.
M23 rebels march through Bukavu, eastern Congo to cheers from some civilians
M23 rebels march through the centre of eastern Congo’s second largest city early Sunday as some onlookers cheer their arrival.
Residents say Rwanda-backed rebels are advancing on a third city in eastern Congo
Rwanda-backed rebels appeared to be heading toward a third major city in eastern Congo, residents said Tuesday, as international pressure rose over the M23's expansion in a mineral-rich region that’s critical for global technology.
Congo rebels say they have entered Bukavu after seizing airport
The capture of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, would represent an unprecedented expansion of territory under the M23's control since the latest insurgency started in 2022 and deal a further blow to Kinshasa's authority in the east.
Rwanda-backed rebels advance into eastern Congo’s 2nd major city of Bukavu, residents say
Rwanda-backed rebels in eastern Congo have claimed that they have seized a second airport in the region following a days-long advance towards the Kavumu airport.
Congo Rebels Promise Security in Bukavu After Looting
Smoke billows from Bukavu Central Prison buildings, a day after the prison break as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels advanced into the centre of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo February 16, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer (Reuters) - Residents of eastern Congo's second-largest city on Monday surveyed the aftermath of widespread looting that accompanied the arrival of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels who have pledged to restore order.
Congo rebel leader Nangaa says rebels have entered Bukavu city
Rebels in eastern Congo entered the provincial capital of Bukavu on Friday evening and will continue operations there on Saturday, Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which includes the M23 rebels,
Rwanda-backed rebels tighten their grip on a major city in eastern Congo
Rwanda-backed rebels have tightened their grip on Bukavu a day after seizing the second major city in eastern Congo
Rwanda-backed rebels occupy a 2nd major city in Congo's mineral-rich east
Rwanda-backed rebels have occupied a second major city in mineral-rich eastern Congo, the government said Sunday, as M23 rebels confirmed they were in the city to restore order after it was abandoned by Congolese forces.
As Congo army retreats from Bukavu, children pick up guns and get killed
By Sonia Rolley and Emma Farge (Reuters) -Rwanda-backed M23 insurgents shot dead three boys who had picked up guns left by ...
The Africa Report5h
East Congo: After taking Bukavu, where next for M23? Uvira
Rebels from the M23, backed by the Rwandan army, continue to advance in South Kivu drawing closer to the Burundian border, where troops sent by President Évariste Ndayishimiye have gradually retreated ...
National Catholic Reporter3d
As rebels in Congo take Bukavu, church leaders decry violence, disrespect for international law
After the M23 Rwanda-backed rebels Feb. 16 occupied Bukavu, a second major city in mineral-rich eastern Congo, Catholic ...
devdiscourse3d
Shocking Execution of Children Spurs International Alarm in Bukavu
Three children in Bukavu were tragically executed by the M23 rebel group after donning abandoned army gear. The UN human ...
The New York Times5d
In Latest Advance, Rebels in Congo Say They Have Entered a Key City
This weekend, the group entered the gold-trading center of Bukavu in eastern Congo after government soldiers fled. By Elian Peltier and Justin Makangara Elian Peltier reported from Dakar ...
Newsday6d
Rwanda-backed rebels advance into eastern Congo's second major city of Bukavu, residents say
Families remained indoors and shops remained closed as M23 fighters entered the outskirts of Bukavu — a city of about 1.3 million people that lies 63 miles (101 kilometers) south of Goma ...
Mail & Guardian7h
The fall of Bukavu: Rwanda, M23 and the fight for influence in eastern DRC
M23 rebels captured Bukavu, the capital of the eastern DRC’s South Kivu province, on 16 February with little resistance from ...
Hosted on MSN22h
Red Cross buries 18 bodies in mass grave amid Bukavu clashes
After weeks of clashes in Bukavu between armed groups including the M23 Rebels, the remains of some of the victims have been ...