Rwandan-backed M23 rebels entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on Friday, marking a major territorial expansion in their ongoing insurgency. The capture of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, comes after the group seized Goma last month, further weakening the Congolese government's authority in the east.

M23 leader Corneille Nangaa confirmed their entry into Bukavu, stating that operations to "clean up" the city would continue. Residents in the northern district of Bagira reported seeing the rebels on the streets, with no immediate signs of fighting. Earlier in the day, the Congolese army had withdrawn from Kavumu airport, north of Bukavu, allowing the rebels to take control. Troops were also seen retreating from Bukavu’s main military camp, Saio, reportedly to avoid combat in heavily populated areas.

The situation in Bukavu has raised fears of worsening humanitarian conditions, as thousands of displaced people have been moving towards the city, which already has a population of 1.3 million. The United Nations had warned of an escalating crisis, urging regional leaders to intervene.

Meanwhile, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has called for international support, warning at the Munich Security Conference that the conflict could spread beyond Congo’s borders. He accused Rwanda of fueling the crisis and also alleged that former President Joseph Kabila was involved in destabilizing the country. Kabila’s camp has denied these claims.

The African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa this weekend is expected to focus heavily on the crisis in Congo, but diplomatic efforts face significant challenges. Rwandan President Paul Kagame remains defiant against international pressure, rejecting allegations that Rwanda supports M23. He has dismissed the threat of sanctions from the U.S. and the EU, insisting that Rwanda is merely defending itself against Hutu-led militants in Congo.

The situation has drawn comparisons to past conflicts in the Great Lakes region, which claimed millions of lives in the 1990s and early 2000s. Experts warn that if the fighting continues, the region risks being drawn into a broader war, with neighboring countries already involved.

As international diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction, the M23's continued advance in eastern Congo signals a deepening crisis, with no immediate resolution in sight.