Rwanda-backed M23 rebels captured the town of Nyabibwe in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), advancing closer to the provincial capital of Bukavu despite declaring a unilateral ceasefire earlier this week, according to AP News.
The ceasefire, announced on humanitarian grounds, has been dismissed by the Congolese government as “false communication,” with reports of ongoing heavy fighting between the rebels and Congolese forces.
Nyabibwe, located approximately 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Bukavu, fell under M23 control on Wednesday, according to local residents and civil society officials. The town lies midway between Bukavu and Goma, the provincial capital seized by the rebels last week.
The UN expressed grave concern over the escalating violence, which had displaced hundreds of thousands and disrupted aid efforts. Vivian van de Perre, the UN’s deputy representative in Congo, confirmed that Goma remains under M23 control, with all exit routes and the airport restricted by rebel and Rwandan forces.
Van de Perre emphasised the urgent need to reopen Goma’s damaged airport for civilian and humanitarian use. She also highlighted the loss of Bukavu’s Kavumu airport, now captured by Congolese military forces, as a significant setback.
The conflict has resulted in a devastating humanitarian toll, with nearly 2,000 bodies collected by the Red Cross in Goma and 787 more still in healthcare facilities.
Rwanda’s role in regional tensions
The M23 rebels are backed by an estimated 4,000 Rwandan troops, according to UN experts, far exceeding their numbers during their brief capture of Goma in 2012. Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame denied knowledge of Rwandan military presence in Congo but stated that his country would take necessary measures to protect itself.
Rwanda framed the conflict as a defence of ethnic Tutsis in eastern Congo against Hutu forces linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. However, experts warn that Rwanda’s involvement may also be driven by ambitions to control the region’s vast mineral wealth, critical to global technology industries.
The Congolese government accused the M23 and Rwandan forces of violating the ceasefire, describing it as “a Rwandan lie.” Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) called for evidence of atrocities committed in eastern Congo, vowing to investigate crimes regardless of the perpetrators’ affiliations.
The capture of Nyabibwe marks a significant advance for the M23, raising fears of a broader offensive despite their claims of limited ambitions. With millions displaced and humanitarian conditions deteriorating, the conflict in eastern Congo remains one of Africa’s most pressing crises.
