Kinshasa [Democratic Republic of Congo], February 17: Rebel forces have been seen in the center of Bukavu, the second largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on Sunday, residents told CNN, as the fighter's push to expand their foothold in the mineral-rich region.
Rebel coalition, Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes the M23 armed group, said in a statement Saturday it had taken control of the Kavumu airport in South Kivu and forced government forces to retreat "in disarray, abandoning the city of Bukavu."
Bukavu is the provincial capital, where residents also reported looting and fighters in the streets Saturday.
"We have control of Bukavu since this morning," a spokesperson for the AFC rebel alliance, Victor Tesongo, told CNN on Sunday.
The DRC government has not confirmed the claimed takeover.
Bukavu resident Elie Cirhuza told CNN he saw M23 fighters on the streets on Sunday.
"I saw with my eyes the soldiers of the M23. They say they will soon begin to restore order in the city," said Cirhuza, who lives close to the city centre.
He said that government troops were nowhere in sight. "I have not yet seen any government soldiers because downstairs from my house is where they gathered the night before yesterday to flee," Cirhuza added.
A DRC military spokesperson, Sylvain Ekenge Ekenge, told Reuters on Friday that government forces had retreated from Bukavu after the rebels occupied the airport.
Another resident, Isaac Musharhamina Goldman, said the rebels have occupied strategic points in the city, including the provincial governor's office and residence.
"They are in the three communes of the city, including the office and residence of the governor of the province, the Saïo military camp, and the site of the National Communication and Satellite Network," he said. "They also control the two border entrances."
The rapid advance into Bukavu comes less than three weeks after the rebels claimed the takeover of Goma, the largest city and capital of the neighbouring North Kivu province on January 27.
Fighting in Goma between the rebels and DRC's military left more than 3,000 people dead, according to the government. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
