Explosions at M23 Rally in Bukavu Kill 11 People

Panic gripped the eastern Congolese city of Bukavu on Thursday when two explosions ripped through a rally organized by the M23 rebel group, killing at least 11 people and injuring more than 60 others.

The blasts, which occurred in quick succession, sent crowds into chaos, with many scrambling for safety as debris and blood stained Independence Square, where the event was taking place.

The rally had drawn hundreds of people, including key figures from M23 and its allied groups. Among them was Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a coalition of armed groups that has been expanding its influence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Although Nangaa and other M23 leaders were present at the scene, they emerged unharmed.

“We are devastated by this cowardly attack. The grenades used in this attack resemble those deployed by foreign forces operating in our country,” Nangaa told reporters, indirectly pointing fingers at the Congolese army and its regional allies. However, independent verification of his claims remains unclear.

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The explosions have escalated tensions between the M23 rebels and the Congolese government, which has been locked in conflict with the group for months. President Felix Tshisekedi condemned the attack, calling it a “terrorist act” and accusing a foreign military presence of involvement, a likely reference to Rwanda, which has long been suspected of backing M23—a charge Kigali denies.

As security forces and humanitarian workers rushed to the scene, witnesses described the harrowing aftermath. “People were running everywhere. Some were injured and crying for help. It was terrifying,” said one resident who had attended the rally.

The violence comes at a time when M23 has been making significant territorial gains in eastern Congo, capturing strategic areas and forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes. The situation has further complicated efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the long-running conflict in the mineral-rich region.

The deadly attack adds to the growing instability in the DRC’s eastern provinces, where armed groups have been fighting for control over land and resources for decades. The United Nations recently appealed for $2.54 billion in emergency aid to assist those affected by the violence, warning that the humanitarian crisis is worsening.

Bruno Lemarquis, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for the DRC, urged international donors to step up their support, stating, “Without urgent action, millions of people will be left without food, shelter, and basic medical care.”

With both the government and M23 trading accusations, fears are mounting that violence could escalate further, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire of a conflict with no clear end in sight.