Bukavu: Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, has come to a standstill after a takeover by the M23 rebels. Daily activities came to a halt due to the looting of stores following the withdrawal of Congolese forces as M23 rebels seized Kavumu on Friday, according to local news website Actualite.cd. Residents have been attempting to restore normalcy amid precarious calm in the city.

According to Anadolu Agency, for several days, residents were confined to their homes, but with a recent lull in the situation, individuals are cautiously resuming their routines. A motorbike taxi driver expressed hope for a return to normalcy in an interview with Actualite.cd.

Separately, residents of Goma in North Kivu province remain wary of human rights violations, including targeted killings and looting, as well as the occupation of buildings, according to local Radio Okapi. The Congolese government has reported that the Rwandan army and its allies have entered Bukavu, urging the population to remain vigilant.

Since January 26, the ongoing rebel offensive has resulted in over 3,000 deaths, 2,880 injuries, and the displacement of more than 500,000 people, adding to the 6.4 million already internally displaced individuals, as reported by the UN. At least 20 peacekeepers, including 14 from South Africa, have lost their lives during clashes between the M23 rebels and Congolese forces.

Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels and sending forces to eastern Congo since the latest offensive began, allegations that Kigali has consistently denied.