Bukavu has changed hands from Felix Tshisekedi to the AFC/M23 administration after the capital of South Kivu Province fell to the rebels three days ago.
The new masters of Bukavu, on Wednesday held a massive meeting with the residents promising them efficient and corrupt free leadership.
“Historic day for the people of Bukavu. Today, Corneille Nangaa the coordinator of the AFC/M23 will be welcomed with all the honors and enthusiasm he deserves by the people of Bukavu,” the media office of the rebels said.
“Dear brothers and sisters, you are experiencing a prophetic realization, you will tell your children about it, you will say I was there. Let all glory go to the Lord God of hosts who makes all things possible,” the notice reads in part.
The Taarifa team was in Bukavu on Tuesday and the situation could be described as very calm although several shops are still closed. A few bars are open and fully packed with revellers.
The border manned by youthful M23 rebels has been officially opened although operating from 6AM to 6PM, while on the Rwandan side of the Border operations are 24hours.
Bukavu with an area of 60 km² and an estimated 1.3 million people is the second-largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
By Press time, the AFC/M23 rebels were fighting Kamanyola where heavy gun fire was exchanged between the government forces (FRDC) and the rebels.
The Congolese air force reportedly deployed Sukhoi Su-29 which bombarded rebels positions for about one hour but the rebels managed to fend it off with heavy anti aircraft gunfire and surface to air missiles.
M23 rebels who boast of modern warfare equipment deployed Kamikaze drones effectively neutralising several government troops and Burundian troops.
Intelligence details from the battle field indicate that almost all the four Burundian battalions have been trapped in one of the plains. “They can’t move out, they are at the mercy of the rebels,” said a source.
