At least 11 people have died following explosions at a rally organized by the M23 rebel alliance in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The situation escalated rapidly when explosions erupted, resulting not only in fatalities but also numerous injuries as panic swept through the crowds.
The details surrounding the cause of the explosions remain unclear, leading to accusations being exchanged between the DRC government and the M23 rebel group. President Felix Tshisekedi condemned the attacks as acts of terrorism executed by a foreign army, without specifying which country he was implicting. Given the tense history between DRC and Rwanda, which Tshisekedi has accused of supporting the M23 rebels, many observers speculate he was referring to Rwanda.
Witness accounts describe chaotic scenes as the blasts occurred shortly after Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC) which includes M23 leaders, finished addressing the crowd. Following the explosions, panic ensued, leading to stampedes and injuries, compounded by the sound of gunfire as people scrambled for safety.
"The AFC/M23 expresses its deep and sincere condolences to the population of Bukavu, following the terrorist attacks perpetrated at Place du 24 this Thursday by Mr. Felix Tshisekedi and his accomplices," said a statement from the rebel group, which aimed to portray the DRC government as culpable for these violent repercussions.
The rally was significant as it marked the first major public gathering of the M23 group since they captured Bukavu on February 16, something the rebels hailed as bringing security to the region. "We have come to Bukavu to restore peace and order," Nangaa stated before the violence erupted.
An International SOS alert was issued to expatriates, warning them to avoid the area and follow official directives due to the reported casualties. There were also calls for people to minimize movement and prepare for potential evacuations from South Kivu.
Meanwhile, the United Nations and Western nations have held steadfast to their claims of Rwandan support for the M23, which the Rwandan government vehemently denies. The situation adds to the growing concerns of potential wider conflict involving neighboring nations.
The DRC's Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka has attributed the continuous violence and displacement within the region to groups like the M23 and has called for the international community to take stronger actions against Rwanda. "Since January, over 7,000 deaths and approximately 450,000 displaced persons have been reported due to conflict driven by these rebel activities," she stated at the 58th UN Human Rights Council session. "The violence against civilians, primarily women and children, exacerbates the humanitarian crisis we face daily. We must unite against these dangers.”
Lastly, the rally and subsequent incidents highlight the fragility of peace efforts and the dire need for international attention to the crises affecting eastern DRC. With increasing violence and instability from rebel factions, the involvement of foreign powers, particularly Rwanda, remains controversial and of significant concern to both regional leaders and international observers.