M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have captured Kavumu Airport, a key airstrip serving Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), rebel forces and civil security sources confirmed Friday.
The rebels, who seized Goma late last month, are now pushing further south, threatening to take Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. If Bukavu falls, it would mark a dramatic expansion of M23-controlled territory and further undermine Kinshasa’s grip on the east.
“The city of Bukavu can no longer hold,” said a civil society representative in the city.
Military Withdraws as Rebels Advance
Two employees at Kavumu Airport, primarily used for military and humanitarian flights, said it had been effectively shut down. Congolese forces reportedly withdrew key equipment, including drones and aircraft, ahead of the rebel advance.
An M23 spokesperson posted on X that the group now controlled the airport and its surroundings. A civil security official confirmed the claim, while U.N. and diplomatic sources said the rebels had reached the airport earlier in the day.
Tshisekedi Seeks Diplomatic Support
As the situation deteriorates, President Félix Tshisekedi has left for Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference, according to a statement from his office. He is also scheduled to travel to Ethiopia for the African Union summit on Saturday, where the conflict is expected to be a key issue.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The U.N. refugee agency warned on Friday that the crisis has left 350,000 displaced people without shelter, as violence continues to drive civilians from their homes.
Fighting Reaches Kavumu
In Kavumu, a video filmed by a resident and reviewed by Reuters shows gunmen in military fatigues patrolling the streets as gunfire echoes in the background.
Before taking the airport, M23 fighters seized Katana, a town 11 km (7 miles) from Kavumu, according to three sources. A resident of Katana reported seeing rebels blocking roads and advancing toward the airport.
On Thursday, the town of Kabamba, north of Katana, also fell to the rebels, multiple sources confirmed.
Kinshasa on Edge
As violence escalates in the east, Kinshasa has seen a heavy military presence in recent days. Following the fall of Goma, anti-U.N. and anti-foreign protests erupted in the capital, with demonstrators targeting embassies, including those of Rwanda, France, and the U.S. The Kenyan embassy was looted.
The conflict is expected to dominate discussions at the AU summit as Kinshasa struggles to counter the rebel advance.