M23 seize key city amid mounting fears of DR Congo breakup

BUKAVU, DR Congo: Columns of M23 fighters allied with Rwandan troops on Sunday entered the centre of another key city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as the African Union highlighted growing fears that the strife-torn country could break up.

The fighters reached outlying districts of Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province, on Friday. The fall of the city of one million people, which was barely defended by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC), gives the M23 total control of Lake Kivu, following its capture of Goma, capital of neighbouring North Kivu province, at the end of January. Growing international calls have been made for Rwanda to end its military backing for M23. It denies that its troops are in the DRC.

As they entered Bukavu, M23 fighters were applauded by some residents on the streets or huddled on balconies, AFP journalists noted. Near the border post linking the town with neighbouring Rwanda, some chanted: “You´re the ones we´ve been waiting for, we need change in this country, we want work.”