Deadly Blasts Disrupt Rebel Rally in Eastern DR Congo
Gunfire and powerful explosions tore through a rebel rally in Bukavu, a key city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), plunging the event into chaos and panic. The attack occurred just weeks after the Rwanda-backed rebels seized control of the city from government forces.
Videos from the scene reveal bodies strewn across the streets as attendees fled in terror. While the exact number of casualties remains uncertain, reports from AFP indicate at least 11 people were killed, with around 60 others wounded, according to a hospital source.
The rally was the first major public event held by the rebels since their rapid advance through eastern DR Congo earlier this year. Addressing the gathering before the attack, Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the alliance that includes the M23 rebel group, vowed to restore order and security to the city. He assured residents that special patrols would be deployed to ensure stability.
However, moments after his speech, chaos erupted. The rebels have accused President Felix Tshisekedi’s government of orchestrating the attack, while the president has placed blame on “a foreign army” operating in the region.
Both Nangaa and M23’s Bertrand Bisimwa had reportedly departed the scene before the explosions occurred. In a statement following the attack, Nangaa revealed that two suspects had been apprehended and vowed retaliation for what he described as a “cowardly and barbaric act.”
The M23-led rebel offensive has intensified since January, capturing key cities such as Bukavu and Goma and forcing around 500,000 people to flee their homes. The worsening humanitarian crisis has drawn urgent calls from the African Union and the United Nations for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of rebel forces from occupied areas.
Rwanda, which had previously denied supporting M23, has since taken a more defensive stance, citing security concerns over ongoing clashes near its border. UN reports estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops are currently deployed in eastern DR Congo.
As tensions continue to rise, the fate of the region remains uncertain, with fears of further violence and displacement looming over the conflict-stricken area.