The United Nations has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of executing three boys who had picked up weapons abandoned by fleeing Congolese soldiers. The killings took place in the Latin Quarter of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, as the insurgents advanced into the region.
Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, confirmed that the boys, reportedly aged between 11 and 15, were shot dead after refusing to drop the firearms they had collected. Videos circulating on social media showed children handling weapons and uniforms left behind by retreating Congolese troops. However, a spokesperson for a rebel alliance that includes M23 denied the claims, saying the deaths resulted from accidental gunfire by other boys misusing weapons.
The situation in eastern Congo has rapidly deteriorated, with government forces and local militias clashing south of Bukavu following the Congolese army’s retreat. Troops had planned to pull back from the city to avoid direct confrontation with M23 but were met with resistance from the pro-government Wazalendo militias, who insisted on staying to fight. As a result, nearby towns such as Kamanyola and Uvira have become flashpoints, forcing residents to flee their homes.
The swift fall of Bukavu follows the loss of Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, raising concerns over the potential fragmentation of the country and fears of a broader regional conflict. Reports suggest the rapid rebel advance has left Congolese soldiers demoralized, with many unwilling to continue fighting. Video footage has surfaced showing soldiers hastily abandoning their positions, some even looting supplies as they withdrew.
The M23 rebellion, led by ethnic Tutsis, claims to be fighting for their rights, but Congo and Western powers accuse Rwanda of using the insurgents to exploit the region’s vast mineral wealth, including tantalum, cobalt, and copper—critical components in global technology supply chains. Rwanda denies these allegations, arguing it is defending itself against Hutu militias allegedly allied with the Congolese military.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Burundi has begun withdrawing its troops from eastern Congo, a move seen as a further setback for the Congolese government. While a Burundian military spokesperson dismissed these claims as "fake," multiple sources, including a Burundian army officer and U.N. officials, confirmed troop movements. Burundi had previously deployed soldiers to combat M23 and defend strategic locations such as Kavumu, home to Bukavu’s airport.
The rebels continue their march south, reportedly entering Kamanyola on Tuesday, as fighting between M23 and the Congolese army persists in Lubero territory, north of Goma. The escalating violence has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with the U.N. refugee agency estimating that 350,000 displaced people have been left without shelter.
In response to the worsening crisis, Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi met with his Angolan counterpart, Joao Lourenco, in Luanda to discuss the security situation. However, diplomatic efforts have so far failed to halt the rebel advance.
As instability grips eastern Congo, fears grow of further territorial losses and an intensifying conflict that could draw in regional powers, threatening peace and security in the Great Lakes region.