DRC rebels promise security after seizing Bukavu in country’s east

Bukavu is the latest area to fall into the hands of the M23, which in recent months has seized swathes of territory in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo [Janvier Barhahiga/AP Photo]

Rwanda-backed rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have promised to “restore security” in Bukavu, the second major city in the country’s east to fall under the control of the M23 since late last month.

Residents of the capital of South Kivu province were tentatively walking the streets again on Monday, a day after M23 rebels overran the city with next to no resistance from the fleeing Congolese army.