M23 Rebel Capture of Bukavu and the Crisis of Control in Eastern DRC

Introduction

The March 23 Movement (M23), a Rwandan-backed rebel group, has seized control of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking a significant escalation in a conflict that risks regional destabilization.

The capture of this strategic city—home to 1.3 million residents and a hub for mineral trade—follows a pattern of minimal resistance from Congolese forces, widespread security vacuums, and mixed reactions from civilians.

With the DRC government struggling to assert authority and M23 consolidating territorial gains, the crisis underscores deepening fractures in governance, humanitarian suffering, and geopolitical tensions across Central Africa.

Strategic Capture of Bukavu

Territorial Expansion and Minimal Resistance

Rapid Advance and Collapse of Government Defense

The fall of Bukavu to M23 on February 16, 2025, represents the group’s most significant territorial gain since its resurgence in late 2021.

The rebels captured Kavumu Airport, a critical military and humanitarian supply hub 30 km north of Bukavu, on February 14, encountering little resistance from Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC).

By February 16, M23 fighters entered the city center, seizing the provincial governor’s residence and administrative offices. Congolese troops withdrew to avoid urban combat, citing concerns over civilian casualties, but this retreat created a security void that enabled looting, prison breaks, and chaos.

The ease of M23’s advance highlights systemic weaknesses in the FARDC, including poor coordination, corruption, and inadequate training.

A resident described soldiers abandoning their posts and setting fire to ammunition depots, leaving behind weapons that armed civilians and opportunists. The rebels’ tactical coordination with Rwandan forces—estimated at 4,000 troops by UN experts—further tilted the balance, allowing M23 to exploit gaps in Kinshasa’s defenses.

Geopolitical Significance of Lake Kivu and Mineral Resources

Bukavu’s location on the southern shore of Lake Kivu, bordering Rwanda, grants M23 control over a vital trade corridor and access to mineral-rich territories.

The city serves as a nexus for gold, coltan, and tin exports, resources critical to global technology supply chains. By securing Bukavu and Goma (captured in January 2025), M23 now dominates Lake Kivu’s shores, consolidating its economic and strategic leverage.

This expansion aligns with Rwanda’s alleged ambitions to destabilize eastern DRC, exploit its resources, and protect Tutsi communities—a claim Kigali denies.

Security Vacuum and Humanitarian Catastrophe

Collapse of Civil Order and Looting

The FARDC’s withdrawal triggered widespread looting, with residents ransacking World Food Programme (WFP) warehouses, shops, and breweries.

Over 7,000 tons of food aid were stolen in Bukavu alone, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis for 350,000 displaced persons.

Social media footage showed emptied prisons, charred corpses in streets, and armed youths firing indiscriminately.

A local resident lamented, “Thieves came, took everything, and left nothing. I don’t know how I’ll repay my loans”.

Civilian Dilemma: Fear, Collaboration, and Survival

Residents reported mixed reactions to M23’s arrival. Some cheered the rebels, viewing them as liberators from a neglectful government, while others retreated indoors, fearing reprisals.

A Bukavu resident described the paradox: “Children and young people took up arms, firing everywhere. Some welcomed M23 with joy, but we don’t know if it’s out of fear or genuine support”.

The absence of clear authority forced civilians to form vigilante groups, while M23 urged “calm” and promised to “clean up the disorder” left by the FARDC.

Contestation of Control

M23 vs. the Congolese Government

M23’s De Facto Governance and Propaganda

M23 has moved swiftly to project legitimacy, appointing a rebel governor for Bukavu and announcing plans to reopen ports on Lake Kivu.

Through local radio broadcasts, the group pledged to “reestablish security” and blamed the DRC government for abandoning civilians.

However, their reliance on Rwandan support and history of human rights abuses—including extrajudicial killings—casts doubt on these assurances.

Kinshasa’s Contested Narrative

The DRC government initially denied losing Bukavu, asserting on social media that the city remained under army control. Yet by February 17, officials acknowledged the occupation, vowing to “restore territorial integrity” while urging residents to stay indoors.

President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration faces mounting criticism for its inability to counter M23’s advances, with civilians accusing the government of “cowardice”.

Regional and International Responses

Escalating Tensions with Rwanda

The DRC and UN experts accuse Rwanda of direct military involvement, a charge Kigali denies.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has justified interventions as necessary to counter Hutu militias like the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which he claims operate within the FARDC.

This proxy conflict risks spilling into neighboring Burundi and Uganda, both of which have deployed troops to support Kinshasa.

Calls for Ceasefire and Diplomatic Stalemate

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned against “regional escalation,” while French President Emmanuel Macron demanded an immediate M23 withdrawal.

However, diplomatic efforts at the African Union summit in Ethiopia yielded little progress, with Kinshasa refusing negotiations until M23 retreats to pre-2021 positions.

Conclusion

A Fragile Future for Eastern DRC

The capture of Bukavu underscores M23’s growing dominance and the DRC government’s eroding authority.

With Rwanda’s backing, the rebels now control strategic cities, trade routes, and mineral wealth, deepening Kinshasa’s reliance on foreign allies like Burundi and South Africa.

Civilians, caught between armed groups and state neglect, face spiraling humanitarian needs and fractured loyalties.

Without a coordinated international response addressing root causes—including governance failures and resource exploitation—the cycle of violence threatens to engulf the Great Lakes region.