As Rwanda-backed rebels strolled through the streets of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s second-largest city, President Felix Tshisekedi’s office claimed it was actually still controlled by his army and “valiant” allied forces.It was the latest jarring move from the 61-year-old leader that has fuelled a sense of worry and panic 1,600km away in the capital Kinshasa, where some residents are looking to move their families abroad amid open talk of a coup.“There was never any question of fighting in Bukavu. It was clear to all the people on the ground that the Rwandans and their auxiliaries were going to make their entry,” said one army general who expressed bafflement at a statement issued by the president’s office on Sunday.Tshisekedi, he added, “doesn’t have the right sources.” Anxiety is visible on the streets of Kinshasa as the army puts up limited resistance against the M23 group’s advance and residents question whether Tshisekedi grasps the risk it poses.Embassies have begun using armoured vehicles for trips to the airport and sending some staff across the Congo River to Brazzaville, capital of Republic of Congo.Three Kinshasa-based government officials told Reuters they were making arrangements to get their families out of the country.Banker Matondo Arnold said he had already sent his family to Brazzaville after the rebels seized Goma, eastern Congo’s biggest city, in late January. “We never imagined Goma could fall,” he said.Congo’s army yesterday denied “rumours” that M23 or Rwandan soldiers had been arrested in Kinshasa. In a statement, it called on residents to report suspicious people but to “avoid seeing Rwandans everywhere”, warning against stigmatising segments of the population.Vice-Prime Minister Jacquemain Shabani said on X that residents should “remain vigilant and not give in to disinformation” meant to weaken the country during wartime.
