Congolese President Felix Tssisekedi traveled to Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference to gather international support
The Rwanda-backed M23 fighter jet claims to have controlled Kabum Airport, which serves Bukabu, the capital of the southern Kivu province of the Congo (DRC).
The airport, which was primarily used for NGOs and military flights and was stationed with DRC troops, was the last important military barrier for the rebels before reaching cities of over 1 million (the second largest in the region). I did (30km) (19 miles) away.
The rebels reportedly faced minimal resistance as they advanced through town, with AFP news agency reporting that Congolese soldiers had opened the airport and retreated to Bukabu.
Reuters news agency reported that rebel fighters also controlled Katana, a town of about 11 km (7 miles) from the airport.
The movement comes before the African Union Summit, which will begin on Saturday in Ethiopia.
The DRC conflict becomes an important topic of discussion at the annual two-day meeting. Congolese President Felix Zisekedi was expected to attend the summit, but the country’s prime minister will replace him.
According to a statement from the social media presidency on Friday, Tshisekedi attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany to receive more international support.
Earlier this month, the AFC/M23 Rebel Coalition announced that it would implement a one-sided ceasefire, but it resumed its fight after a two-day lull.
Retired African Union Chairman Mussa Faki Mahamato told AFP that the Eastern DRC ceasefire “should be observed,” adding that “military campaigns will not solve these problems.” .
In late January, the M23 Fighters launched a rapid attack, seizing Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province. Since then, the military has pushed south towards Bukabu, which is considered a strategic hub. The rebels tried to move south after capturing Goma, the largest city in the eastern DRC.
The UN Refugee Agency has said the situation is “fastly worsening” and that ongoing conflict has driven away around 350,000 people.
After the collapse of Sesame, protests erupted in the capital, Kinshasa, where protesters attacked UN compounds and several embassies, including embassies in Rwanda, France, Kenya and the United States.
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