Explosions killed 11 people and wounded 65 at a rally held by M23 rebels in the eastern Congo city of Bukavu on Thursday, the leader of the rebel alliance said, blaming President Felix Tshisekedi for the violence.
Congo's presidency, which says neighbouring Rwanda is backing the insurgents, said on X there had been "several" deaths in a post on X and blamed "a foreign army illegally present on Congolese soil".
Bukavu, a city just three kilometers from the Rwandan border, was captured a few weeks ago, and life had just begun returning to normal. Residents had started resuming daily activities, hopeful for stability after years of insecurity. However, today's bombing shattered that fragile peace, leaving the streets filled with fear and mourning.
Neither side offered evidence for their claims.
Eyewitnesses describe scenes of horror as the bombs detonated, causing mass panic and devastation. The AFC/M23 movement has strongly condemned the attack, calling it a crime against humanity.
"Three bombs were dropped on countless crowds, killing several Congolese. The AFC/M23 condemns with the utmost energy this crime against humanity,"the leader of the movement, Corneille Nangaa stated.
Despite the targeted nature of the attack, key figures present in Bukavu, including Corneille Nangaa, Bertrand Bisimwa, Freddy Kaniki, Délion Kimbulungu, and Benjamin Mbonimpa, have been confirmed safe.
Corneille Nangaa, leader of the rebel alliance that includes M23, said at a press conference that grenades used were the same type as employed by Burundi's army in Congo.
Reuters could not independently verify this.
Burundian army spokesperson Brigadier General Gaspard Baratuza told Reuters there were no Burundian soldiers in Bukavu but did not address the accusation over the grenades.
The rebels have been advancing through eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since the start of the year, seizing Bukavu and the region's largest city Goma.
https://www.reuters.com/world/afric...ngo-rebel-leader-bukavu-residents-2025-02-27/
