Media Wire Express Correspondent
The sound of gunfire has once again returned to eastern Congo, as M23 rebels continue their advance this time taking control of Kavumu Airport, a crucial transport hub just north of the city of Bukavu.
What was once a vital lifeline for civilians and military operations alike is now in rebel hands, deepening fears among residents and aid workers that the conflict is spiraling into a new and dangerous phase.
The small but strategic airstrip sits roughly 30 kilometers from Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. With its seizure, the Congolese army has lost a key logistics post—one used not only for reinforcing military positions but also for ferrying humanitarian aid into a region increasingly cut off by the ongoing fighting.
“It’s a heavy blow,” said one local official who asked not to be named, citing security concerns. “That airport was a gateway for help—food, medicine, and hope. Now it’s gone.”
The fall of Kavumu comes on the heels of a larger offensive by the M23, a rebel group that had already captured Goma, the largest city in North Kivu province, in recent weeks. The group’s sudden push into South Kivu has caught many off guard and heightened anxiety that Bukavu—a city home to over a million people—could be next.
Panic is spreading. In neighborhoods on the northern edge of Bukavu, families are already packing up their belongings. Some are heading toward the mountains; others are simply fleeing, unsure where safety lies. Aid agencies say the number of displaced people is growing by the day, with an estimated 350,000 already forced from their homes across the conflict zone.
Also Read; China Open to Talks If Trump Shows Respect
“People are terrified,” said a local schoolteacher whose family is sheltering in a church basement. “We don’t know what tomorrow brings.”
Despite international calls for calm, the situation on the ground is rapidly deteriorating. Regional leaders met earlier this week in Dar es Salaam, urging all parties to return to the negotiating table. But their words have so far done little to stop the violence. The M23 continues to push forward, breaking the terms of previous ceasefire deals.
The United Nations and African Union have both condemned the escalation, warning that the humanitarian toll will only worsen if fighting continues. Some are now calling for increased international support, not just in diplomacy but also in logistics and aid.
Back in Bukavu, the uncertainty is almost unbearable. As night falls, families huddle in makeshift shelters, listening for the sound of approaching gunfire or helicopters—signs of either danger or salvation. For many, all they can do is wait.
“We’ve lived through conflict before,” said one elderly resident. “But this… this feels different. This feels like we’re being forgotten.”
