Residents of Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo, woke up on Monday to assess the damage caused by widespread looting following the entry of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. The rebel group, which has pledged to restore order, made a significant advance by seizing control of the city center on Sunday.

The takeover marks M23’s most notable success since capturing Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, in late January. Alongside Bukavu, the rebels have also taken control of the strategic Kavumu airport, further weakening the central government’s authority and intensifying fears of a broader regional conflict.

The Congolese government has not officially declared Bukavu under full rebel control. However, its military forces, along with allied Burundian troops, withdrew from the city to prevent clashes in populated areas. This retreat created a power vacuum that led to chaos, including looting and a prison break.

In a statement broadcast on local radio, a rebel alliance that includes M23 declared its intention to support the population, accusing the national army of abandoning the city. "Our forces have been working to restore security for the people and their property, much to the satisfaction of the entire population," the statement said.

**Residents Face Heavy Losses**

Businesses bore the brunt of the looting, leaving shop owners devastated. "The thugs arrived, they took everything, and nothing remains," said Pascal Zulu, a local shopkeeper. "I don't know how I’m going to repay the money I borrowed."

M23, a well-equipped rebel force with ethnic Tutsi leadership, is the latest in a series of armed groups operating in eastern Congo. Rwanda, which has long been accused of supporting the rebels, denies the allegations made by Congo, the United Nations, and Western governments. Kigali insists it is defending itself against a Hutu militia allegedly fighting alongside the Congolese military.

Congo, however, accuses Rwanda of using proxy militias to exploit its vast mineral wealth. The eastern region is rich in resources, including tantalum, cobalt, lithium, tin, tungsten, and gold. M23’s recent territorial gains have given it control over key mineral deposits, which are vital to global industries such as electric vehicle batteries and mobile phones.

With M23 controlling more land than any previous rebel group since the end of Congo’s wars in 2003, concerns are mounting over further escalation and instability in the region.