A City on Edge: Deadly Explosion Sparks Political Firestorm
NAIROBI, Kenya—Eastern Congo’s already volatile situation escalated further on Thursday when an explosion at a rally in Bukavu killed 13 people and wounded dozens.
The attack, which took place in a rebel-held city square, has triggered a fresh wave of accusations between the Congolese government and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.
While the Congolese army claims Rwandan troops and rebels deliberately targeted the crowd with grenades and rocket fire, M23 leader Corneille Nangaa has pointed the finger at Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, alleging that the weapons used match those deployed by Burundi’s army, which supports Congo’s forces.
The conflicting narratives have only heightened fears of a potential regional war, as both sides refuse to take responsibility for the deadly attack.
Eyewitness Accounts and the Human Toll
As accusations fly, on-the-ground reports paint a chaotic picture. Two witnesses told Reuters they saw an attacker attempt to launch a grenade at a convoy of M23 leaders—but missed his target, killing civilians instead.
In the aftermath, Bukavu’s hospitals were overwhelmed.
A medical source reported that at least 68 people were receiving treatment, while the Congolese interior ministry estimated nearly 100 serious injuries.
With blood supplies running dangerously low, residents stepped up to donate.
Meanwhile, grieving families gathered at the city’s hospital, only to be told that no bodies would be released yet.
Frustration grew as relatives were asked to leave contact details instead.
Regional Tensions and the Search for Peace
The explosion is just the latest flashpoint in an already worsening conflict.
Since January, 7,000 people have died and nearly half a million displaced as M23 rebels push deeper into eastern Congo, capturing Bukavu and Goma.
The situation has forced 60,000 refugees into Burundi in just two weeks, according to the U.N. refugee agency.
International efforts to halt the violence have largely fallen flat.
The United States recently sanctioned a Rwandan minister, while Britain has threatened to suspend aid to Rwanda unless it withdraws troops from Congo.
But according to Congolese communications minister Patrick Muyaya, these measures don’t go far enough.
“The sanctions, they have started but they are not enough. The proof is that the Rwandan army is still there,” he said.
Rwanda, on the other hand, insists its military presence is purely defensive, claiming that Congo’s forces have aligned with Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whom were involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Amid the growing crisis, hopes for diplomacy remain fragile. Burundi’s president has suggested a negotiated solution is still possible, but a planned ceasefire meeting between regional ministers was abruptly postponed.
