M23 Takes Control of Kavumu Airport in DRC
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Synopsis
On February 15, the March 23 Movement (M23) announced its takeover of Kavumu Airport in South Kivu, DRC. This move raises concerns about civilian safety and follows a series of territorial gains by the group in the region.
Key Takeaways
- M23 has seized Kavumu Airport in South Kivu.
- The airport was considered a threat to local civilians.
- Recent events have led to panic in Bukavu.
- The security situation in eastern DRC is deteriorating.
- International diplomatic efforts are ongoing to address the crisis.
Goma, Feb 15 (NationPress) The March 23 Movement (M23) armed group declared that it has taken control over Kavumu Airport in South Kivu Province, located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Laurence Kanyuka, the spokesperson for the group, remarked in a post on X, "Kavumu Airport posed a threat to the civilian populace in the liberated areas as well as to our positions. Effective immediately, the airport and its vicinity are secured under our control."
Situated approximately 30 km from Bukavu, the provincial capital, Kavumu Airport serves as a vital hub for both humanitarian and military flights. Local reports indicate that Congolese forces evacuated essential equipment just before the M23 took over the airport, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
This latest offensive comes after the M23's claim of capturing Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, on January 26. Since the start of the week, the M23 has gained control over several towns in South Kivu, causing alarm among residents in Bukavu.
According to sources in South Kivu, some DRC soldiers and their allies have retreated, while others are heading towards the road leading to Uvira. Civil society organizations issued a letter on Wednesday urging the authorities to prevent combat in Bukavu to avoid civilian casualties.
The security landscape in eastern DRC has worsened with the resurgence of the M23, which reports from Kinshasa and the United Nations allege is receiving support from Rwanda. Since late 2021, the M23 has ramped up its assaults, seizing critical strategic sites such as the commercial center of Bunagana on the Ugandan border and the mining town of Rubaya, known for its coltan resources.
This conflict has deep historical roots stemming from the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and ongoing ethnic conflicts, especially between the Tutsi and Hutu groups. The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing the M23, while Rwanda claims that the Congolese military has allied with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a rebel faction implicated in the genocide against the Tutsi.
The escalating turmoil has resulted in widespread displacement, increased instability, and escalating diplomatic strains between the DRC and Rwanda. In response, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi is seeking international support at the Munich Security Conference, which takes place from February 14 to 16 in Germany.
Efforts involving regional diplomacy and military strategies are currently underway to halt the M23's progression and regain stability in the conflict-affected Great Lakes region.
