Rwanda-backed rebels capture key administrative office in Bukavu, eastern Congo

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have advanced into Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo, capturing the South Kivu provincial administrative office. This marks a significant expansion of their control, following their recent capture of Goma. Witnesses reported residents cheering for the rebels, while many Congolese soldiers and civilians fled the area amid looting and panic. The Congolese government stated that Bukavu was briefly invaded but remains under military control. Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi held a security meeting in Kinshasa, expressing concerns about the conflict's regional implications. Troops from Burundi and South Africa are supporting Congolese forces in the region.