M23 Advances in South Kivu, Threatening Humanitarian Efforts
The frontline is closing in on Kavumu Airport, warned Bruno Lemarquis on Wednesday.
Following the fall of Goma, the capital of North Kivu, in late January, the M23 armed group—allegedly backed by Rwanda—is advancing against Congolese government forces toward Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
On Wednesday, Kalehe, a key city in the province, fell around midday, according to the Humanitarian Coordinator. This city is just 20 miles from Kavumu, which houses the province’s main airport.
Although primarily a commercial airfield, Kavumu Airport—located about 20 miles from Bukavu—has been a crucial hub for military operations by Kinshasa’s struggling forces.
“Until recently, this airport was our main lifeline for deploying personnel to South Kivu,” said Lemarquis.
However, as with Goma’s airport, which remains non-operational, this crucial access has now been lost.
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A Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
Even before M23’s latest offensive, the humanitarian situation in South Kivu was already critical, Lemarquis recalled.
Approximately 1.65 million people—over 20% of the province’s population—had been displaced due to various crises.
“There are multiple conflicts in the province—community tensions, land disputes,” he explained.
Additionally, South Kivu frequently experiences natural disasters, such as landslides along Lake Kivu’s shores, which have also led to significant displacement.
“We already had a major humanitarian operation running in South Kivu,” Lemarquis noted.
The recent M23 incursions—the first in South Kivu since the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) withdrew from the province in June 2024—are compounding long-standing challenges.
“This will only increase complexity and humanitarian needs,” he emphasized.
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At Least 170,000 Newly Displaced
Lemarquis estimated that recent clashes in South Kivu have displaced at least 170,000 people—excluding figures from the past two weeks.
He also reported a growing number of displaced individuals heading toward Bukavu, a city already home to nearly 1.3 million people.
“Depending on how the situation evolves, we may see an even greater influx into Bukavu, and later, from the city further south,” he said.
This movement could significantly disrupt access to health and social services for vulnerable populations.
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Rising Epidemic Risks
As fighting persists, Lemarquis also raised concerns about outbreaks of infectious diseases in a region already struggling with cholera.
“When essential services are disrupted, epidemic outbreaks become a major risk,” he warned.
Adding to the urgency, South Kivu is currently the global epicenter of a new mpox strain, Clade 1b, which is particularly concentrated around Kalehe—now under M23 control.
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Limited Humanitarian Access
On a positive note, Lemarquis reported that access between Goma and Minova—the first South Kivu town seized by M23 in mid-January—has been restored after a period of intense fighting.
“There were some difficult days for humanitarian workers due to the conflict, but the road is now open again,” he confirmed.
However, further south, humanitarian access remains blocked.
“For a long time, the road between Goma and Bukavu has been inaccessible,” Lemarquis said.
Alternative routes, such as Lake Kivu, which connects Goma to Bukavu, have also been cut off.
“There are very few alternate supply routes, and the airport was our primary access point,” he noted.
The escalating conflict, compounded by these access restrictions, threatens to worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis in South Kivu.
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