After taking Goma last month, Rwandan-backed M23 rebels captured Bukavu – the second largest city in eastern DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), close to Rwanda, and an important transit point for the local mineral trade.
This time the group faced almost no resistance as government troops had already fled the city. M23 leaders have now vowed to march on DRC’s capital, Kinshasa, 1200 kilometers to the west.
Since the rebels’ latest offensive, the UN reports more than 500,000 people have been displaced, with a soaring number of rapes against children carried out by armed groups.
Rwanda’s President Kagame acknowledged his soldiers’ presence in eastern DRC but continues to deny backing M23.
The DRC’s foreign minister urged the NBA, Formula One and various European football clubs including Arsenal to cut ties with Rwanda in a bid to raise diplomatic pressure.
