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.
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.
The International Criminal Court is appealing for armed groups in eastern Congo to abide by international law. It's after fighting has spread in the mineral-rich region as the M23 rebels continue to capture key cities, intensifying the conflict and humanitarian crisis.
Geneva, February 24, 2025 – At a high-level meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, the Democratic Republic of Congo's prime minister stated that approximately 7,000 people have been killed in fighting in the eastern part of the country since January.
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Over 300,000 Canadians were left without power on Sunday as a severe ice storm battered parts of Ontario, according to electricity provider Hydro One. The storm brought freezing rain and ice pellets over the weekend, with power outages continuing into Monday morning in some regions.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is awaiting a critical court ruling on Monday that could determine her political future. Le Pen, head of the National Rally (RN), faces accusations of embezzling over 3 million euros ($3.3 million) of European Parliament funds to pay France-based staff.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots, monitoring a Chinese navy warship as it navigated Australian waters, were alerted to a live-fire exercise via a civilian radio broadcast, defense officials revealed on Tuesday.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing more than 1,700 people and leaving 3,400 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
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Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his upcoming reciprocal tariffs will apply to all nations, rather than just targeting the 10 to 15 countries with the largest trade imbalances. Trump plans to unveil the tariff package on Wednesday, calling it “Liberation Day.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attempting to back out of a critical minerals deal, warning that such a move would bring serious repercussions.
Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has warned of public unrest if elections are not held by December, following remarks from interim leader Muhammad Yunus suggesting a possible delay until 2026.
Over 300,000 Canadians were left without power on Sunday as a severe ice storm battered parts of Ontario, according to electricity provider Hydro One. The storm brought freezing rain and ice pellets over the weekend, with power outages continuing into Monday morning in some regions.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is awaiting a critical court ruling on Monday that could determine her political future. Le Pen, head of the National Rally (RN), faces accusations of embezzling over 3 million euros ($3.3 million) of European Parliament funds to pay France-based staff.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his upcoming reciprocal tariffs will apply to all nations, rather than just targeting the 10 to 15 countries with the largest trade imbalances. Trump plans to unveil the tariff package on Wednesday, calling it “Liberation Day.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attempting to back out of a critical minerals deal, warning that such a move would bring serious repercussions.
Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has warned of public unrest if elections are not held by December, following remarks from interim leader Muhammad Yunus suggesting a possible delay until 2026.
Over 300,000 Canadians were left without power on Sunday as a severe ice storm battered parts of Ontario, according to electricity provider Hydro One. The storm brought freezing rain and ice pellets over the weekend, with power outages continuing into Monday morning in some regions.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is awaiting a critical court ruling on Monday that could determine her political future. Le Pen, head of the National Rally (RN), faces accusations of embezzling over 3 million euros ($3.3 million) of European Parliament funds to pay France-based staff.
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