A series of explosions killed 11 people and wounded 65 at a rally held by M23 rebels in the eastern Congolese city of Bukavu on Thursday, escalating tensions in the region. Corneille Nangaa, leader of the rebel alliance that includes M23, blamed the government of President Felix Tshisekedi for the attack.
The Congolese presidency, which has accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting M23, said on X that “several” people were killed and attributed the violence to “a foreign army illegally present on Congolese soil.” Neither side provided evidence for their claims.
The incident adds to the growing instability in the mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where multiple armed groups are engaged in conflict, and regional nations are increasingly involved.
At a press conference, Nangaa claimed the grenades used in the attack were the same type employed by Burundi’s military in Congo. Reuters could not independently verify this assertion.
Burundi has maintained a military presence in eastern Congo for years, initially targeting Burundian rebels but more recently joining efforts against M23. Burundian army spokesperson Brigadier General Gaspard Baratuza condemned the attack on X, asserting there were no Burundian troops in Bukavu. However, he did not specifically address the allegations regarding the grenades.
M23 has been advancing across eastern Congo since the start of the year, capturing Bukavu and Goma, the region’s largest city. The rebel group has sought to present itself as a stabilizing force by reopening ports and schools in areas it has seized.
Witnesses described scenes of panic following the explosions. Residents ran through the streets, some carrying the wounded to safety.
“A plastic bag was thrown in front of us… We didn’t know what was inside. We were just looking at it. Suddenly, there was an explosion. Poof! We fell to the ground and ran away,” said Musanga Tambwe, who was later treated for injuries at Bukavu’s general hospital.
A medical source reported that 68 people were receiving treatment for blast wounds.
Nangaa confirmed that he was unharmed, and other senior members of the rebel alliance remained safe.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has deep historical roots, tracing back to the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and ongoing battles for control over the region’s vast mineral wealth.
Congo, the United Nations, and Western governments have long accused Rwanda of backing M23, a claim Rwanda denies. Kigali maintains that its military presence in the region is a response to threats posed by Hutu militias allegedly allied with the Congolese army.
M23’s recent advances mark the most significant escalation of violence in over a decade, raising fears of deeper regional involvement in the conflict.
