Government forces retreat as M23 rebels advance on Bukavu in eastern DRC

Clashes between government troops and militias intensify as M23 rebels threaten the provincial capital of Bukavu.

Members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) stand guard against the M23 rebel group in Lubero, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on October 27, 2024. Photo by Djaffar Al Katanty/Reuters

By Clarisa Sendy and Widya Putri

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is witnessing escalating violence as government forces and local militias engage in fierce clashes south of Bukavu, a key provincial capital in the country’s eastern region. This conflict has intensified as the M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, advance towards the city, forcing a retreat by Congolese troops who had been tasked with defending the area. According to military sources and local residents, this retreat is part of a broader strategy to avoid urban combat and regroup elsewhere to halt the rapid advance of rebel forces. However, as troops pull back, local militias are standing their ground, resulting in ongoing firefights and chaos in the region.

The chaotic retreat and its implications

The situation surrounding the government’s withdrawal from Bukavu is rapidly deteriorating, according to several military officers, community leaders, and eyewitnesses. The original plan was for government forces to pull back from Bukavu, which is a crucial hub for trade and mining, to prevent urban battles that would endanger civilians. However, by the time the M23 rebels began their advance over the weekend, the situation had already unraveled into chaos.

In a bid to avoid the same fate as Goma—eastern Congo’s largest city, which fell to the M23 earlier this year—the government forces in Bukavu hurriedly packed up and fled. While direct clashes with the M23 have been largely avoided, surrounding towns such as Kamanyola and Uvira, situated south of Bukavu along the N5 road, have become flashpoints for violent skirmishes. Militias loyal to the government, known as the Wazalendo, have engaged in firefights with retreating Congolese soldiers, further adding to the turmoil. "Just this morning there was the crackle of gunfire from Kamanyola to Uvira," reported a local community leader.

The growing regional instability

The disarray surrounding Bukavu’s defense has stoked fears of further destabilization in the DRC. The fall of Goma earlier this year and the current situation in Bukavu have raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict, one that could potentially involve neighboring Uganda. Furthermore, reports from Kinshasa suggest that internal political tensions are rising, with some observers even speculating about a potential coup against President Felix Tshisekedi in response to the military’s failures.

The growing unrest in South Kivu has prompted calls for accountability within the Congolese government, particularly over the decision to recruit militias like the Wazalendo. These groups, often poorly trained and disorganized, have exacerbated the current situation. A video that surfaced over the weekend showed Wazalendo fighters in the town of Sange distributing rifles to civilians from a truck seized from the Congolese army, raising concerns about militia control over weapons and the disorderly state of the conflict.

The role of militias and resource competition

The rise of local militias in eastern DRC, including the Wazalendo, is largely driven by competition over the region’s valuable mineral resources, such as tantalum and cobalt. These minerals are critical components in the production of electric vehicles, mobile phones, and other technological products globally. The DRC is also the world’s largest exporter of copper to China, further increasing the stakes in the region’s ongoing conflict.

Rwanda, which has long been accused of supporting the M23 rebels, maintains that it is defending itself from a Hutu militia operating alongside Congolese forces. However, the Congolese government continues to accuse Rwanda of using the M23 as a proxy to loot the country’s mineral resources. This ongoing conflict has placed immense strain on the civilian population, with thousands displaced and emergency shelters destroyed by the violence.

The military’s disarray and morale issues

The retreat from Bukavu has sparked outrage among many local militias, particularly the Wazalendo, who feel betrayed by the Congolese army. Congolese researcher Josaphat Musamba, a native of South Kivu, explained that the militias are determined to fight and do not understand why the army would abandon them. "They don’t understand how the Congolese army can abandon them," Musamba said, reflecting the anger felt by many in the region.

The decision to pull back was reportedly made to prevent the kind of bloodshed witnessed during the fall of Goma in late January, when an estimated 3,000 people were killed in the violence. However, the impact on military morale was significant, with many soldiers reportedly fleeing the battlefield or looting supplies as they retreated. One anonymous soldier was filmed expressing frustration, stating, "At the Bukavu stage, we flee again."

These repeated defeats and the poor morale of the Congolese military have raised serious concerns about the army’s ability to combat the M23 insurgency, which first emerged in 2022. The insurgency has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, with the UN estimating that around 350,000 people have been displaced due to recent fighting. The collapse of Bukavu’s defense may signal a further deepening of the crisis in the region.

Calls for a stable government response

As the situation worsens, the Congolese government is facing increasing pressure to address both the military's failures and the growing influence of militias in the region. Justice Minister Constant Mutamba expressed strong opposition to any efforts to destabilize the government, declaring, "Tshisekedi was elected by the Congolese people for a five-year term. We will not accept any coup."

However, the government’s reliance on militias like the Wazalendo, who have demonstrated poor discipline and organization, continues to attract criticism. The situation in South Kivu has raised serious questions about the Congolese leadership's ability to stabilize the region and protect its citizens from the escalating violence.

In conclusion, the ongoing conflict between government forces, local militias, and M23 rebels in eastern DRC highlights the complex dynamics of resource competition, militia involvement, and military disarray. The chaotic retreat from Bukavu has exposed the vulnerabilities of the Congolese military and fueled fears of a wider regional war. As the situation unfolds, the international community will be closely monitoring developments in the DRC, particularly with regard to the potential for further destabilization and the future of President Tshisekedi’s government.

Focus Keyphrase: M23 rebels Bukavu
Keyphrase Synonyms: DRC M23, Bukavu conflict, Congo rebels, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels