Bukavu, DRC—Chaos has erupted as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels reach the city’s outskirts, triggering gunfire, looting, and fears of further escalation.
Chaos has erupted in Bukavu, eastern Congo, as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels reach the city's outskirts. Reports indicate sporadic gunfire and widespread looting across the area.
The World Food Programme has confirmed that 6,800 tonnes of food from its warehouse in Bukavu are being looted, with large crowds making off with sacks of supplies.
The rebels have been advancing south toward Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, since seizing Goma—the region’s largest city—at the end of last month.
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called for dialogue between the warring parties in eastern Congo. Speaking at an African Union summit in Addis Ababa, he stressed that military force is not the solution, emphasizing that peace can only be achieved through negotiations.
Concerns over a potential regional conflict have grown as the rebels continue their push south. Leaders from Eastern and Southern African regional blocs urged all parties to engage in direct talks last weekend.
However, Congolese President, Félix Tshisekedi, has refused to negotiate with the M23. He also canceled his appearance at the African Union summit, opting to send his prime minister in his place. Meanwhile, Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, has repeatedly denied supporting the M23.
The United States has warned of potential sanctions against Rwandan and Congolese officials, while the European Parliament has urged the European Union to suspend direct budgetary support to Rwanda.
If Bukavu, a city of about two million people, falls to the M23, it would mark the largest territorial expansion by the rebels since their insurgency resumed in 2022. Such a loss would further undermine Kinshasa’s authority in Congo’s eastern borderlands, a region rich in minerals.
The rate of sexual violence against children has reached shockingly high levels, stated UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell briefing to the United Nations Security Council on the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Gunfire shook Goma overnight as fighting flared between M23 rebels and pro-government forces.
Rwanda has expressed support for the M23 rebel group's decision to withdraw from the strategic mining town of Walikale in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and for the DRC's commitment to halting hostilities as part of ongoing peace efforts.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi is considering a sit-down with Rwanda backed armed group M23.
The escalation of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has forced the closure of 2,594 schools, impacting the education of more than 1.1 million children, according to a government statement issued by the Education Ministry on Wednesday.
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“The EU will stand with Moldova in every step of the way until the very membership,” - stated Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission at her joint press-conference with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is nearing a defence deal with the EU to reset post-Brexit ties, even as his government courts a U.S. trade deal. Talks will culminate at a May summit, aiming to boost cooperation in defence, energy, and youth mobility.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has firmly rejected claims that the Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline as part of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
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“The EU will stand with Moldova in every step of the way until the very membership,” - stated Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission at her joint press-conference with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
In a significant development for Afghanistan-Russia relations, Zamir Kabulov, Special Envoy of the Russian President, held high-level talks with Taliban officials in Kabul, signaling a further warming of ties between the two nations.
Russia and Türkiye will hold consultations on the Middle East, including Syria and Palestine, on 25th April in Istanbul, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source speaking to TASS.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is nearing a defence deal with the EU to reset post-Brexit ties, even as his government courts a U.S. trade deal. Talks will culminate at a May summit, aiming to boost cooperation in defence, energy, and youth mobility.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has firmly rejected claims that the Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline as part of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
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