Two devastating explosions rocked the city of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following a gathering of the Rwanda-backed M23 group. The blasts occurred Thursday, leading to the deaths of at least 11 individuals and injuring around 60, according to sources from a local hospital. Eyewitness accounts depict scenes of chaos, with people fleeing in panic as blood pooled on the ground and abandoned shoes littered the area.
President Felix Tshisekedi condemned the explosions as a “heinous terrorist act.” This tragic incident took place in a region where M23 fighters have recently gained significant ground, capturing vast territories in confrontations with the Congolese army. An AFP journalist present at the scene reported that many of the wounded were desperately calling for help following the detonations, which occurred shortly after a rally in Independence Square, where thousands had gathered.
The rally featured Corneille Nangaa, the head of a coalition that includes the M23, who had just finished addressing the crowd when the explosions reverberated through the air. The specific cause of the blasts remains unclear as investigations are underway.
In the aftermath, the Bukavu provincial general hospital became a focal point of grief, with dozens of people awaiting updates on their loved ones. A hospital source confirmed that 11 bodies were reported at the morgue, all arriving deceased, alongside around 60 individuals suffering from injuries. Witnesses described seeing stretchers carrying multiple fatalities as the community grappled with the horror of the situation.
M23 spokesman Willy Ngoma suggested that the explosions were aimed at the group’s leaders. Eyewitness Antoine Aganze remarked on the presence of “people with bad intentions,” highlighting the chaotic environment where he claimed to have witnessed seven bodies. Another attendee, Mushagalusa Irenge, expressed shock at witnessing what he believed to be an explosive device falling from the sky amidst the crowd.
The recent surge of violence in the region has been exacerbated by the M23’s control over significant urban centers, including Bukavu and Goma, which have dramatically shifted the power dynamics in eastern DRC. With territories in both North and South Kivu now under M23’s influence, the group has encountered minimal resistance from the Congolese military. Observers have noted the presence of M23 fighters advancing toward other strategic locations, with reports emerging of Burundian troop deployments in the area.
In an effort to quell the escalating conflict, regional organizations, including the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), have galvanised former leaders from Africa to spearhead a new peace initiative. The appointed facilitators, including ex-Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo, aim to navigate the complex landscape towards a much-needed resolution.
As the situation continues to develop, the local and international community remains on high alert, concerned about the implications of this violence and the potential for a broader regional conflict.
