Explosion at M23 rally in DRC leaves dozens injured, eleven dead

An explosion during a rally organized by the M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has left at least eleven people dead and dozens wounded, according to rebel leaders.

The blast occurred in the city of Bukavu, a region that has seen escalating tensions as M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, continue their rapid territorial advances.

 

Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the Congo River Alliance a coalition that includes M23 confirmed the attack’s death toll and injuries.

“I would like to give you here the first assessment that we have, which is that the attack caused eleven deaths, including a woman. Verifications are in progress. The perpetrator of the attack himself is part of these deaths. There are 65 injured, including six critically,” Nangaa stated.

 

Nangaa also accused Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi of failing to engage in negotiations with the rebels, arguing that a political solution is necessary to address the ongoing crisis in the country.

“We have always expressed the wish to see a political solution to the multifaceted crisis in the Congo. And we note, unfortunately, that he [President Tshisekedi] is attached to war,” he said.

 

M23 rebels have been intensifying their campaign in eastern DRC, seizing key towns, including Bukavu and Goma, and reportedly causing the deaths of approximately 3,000 people amid their territorial gains.

Authorities have yet to confirm the details surrounding the explosion, as investigations into the incident continue.