M23 rebels claimed control over Bukavu, the second-largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the rebel movement announced in a statement released on February 16.
The governor confirmed the rebels' presence in the city, adding that government forces had withdrawn to avoid urban fighting, as cited by the media.
In the face of the M23 advance, residents of South Kivu are fleeing in large numbers to neighboring Burundi, as reported by Radio Okapi. At least 10,000 people have already arrived there.