Congo and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels blame each other for explosions at a Bukavu rally that killed 13 and injured many. Congo’s army accused Rwanda of attacking civilians; M23 blamed Congo’s president. The incident worsens eastern Congo’s tensions, where 7,000 have died and mass displacements continue amidst failed international sanctions and peace efforts.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels engaged in a blame game over fatal explosions that occurred at a rally in Bukavu, resulting in 13 fatalities and numerous injuries. This incident has exacerbated the already volatile situation in eastern Congo, a region marked by ethnic and political tensions, raising concerns of a potential regional conflict amid a rebel offensive this year involving neighboring armies.
The Congolese military accused Rwandan troops of launching rockets and grenades at civilians assembled in Bukavu’s central square during a speech by a rebel leader. The Ministry of the Interior asserted that the Rwandan military and its allies targeted civilians expressing dissent against Rwandan actions, emphasizing their forced attendance at the rally.
In response, Corneille Nangaa, a leader within the rebel alliance that includes M23, placed responsibility for the violence on Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi. He claimed that the type of grenades employed during the incident matched those used by the Burundian army, which is alleged to support Congo’s military, though this assertion remains unverified.
Witness accounts indicate that one assailant attempted to target a rebel convoy with a grenade but missed, resulting in civilian casualties from an early explosion. Medical sources reported treating around 68 injured individuals at Bukavu’s general hospital, where relatives of the deceased gathered to identify their loved ones.
The Congolese government has revealed that nearly 100 individuals sustained severe injuries. Families of victims were left awaiting updates from hospital staff, as officials stated that no bodies would be released on that day. International mechanisms have recently failed to curtail rebel advances, which have seen the capture of major eastern cities, such as Goma and Bukavu.
Reports detail that the United States has imposed sanctions on a Rwandan minister, with the UK threatening to suspend aid unless Rwanda withdraws its troops. Patrick Muyaya, the Communications Minister for Congo, criticized the existing sanctions as inadequate given the ongoing presence of Rwandan forces, underlining the importance of documenting incidents for future justice.
The Rwandan government maintains that its military acts in self-defense against Congolese forces, who have been accused of collaborating with Rwandan Hutu rebels. Ongoing conflicts have resulted in significant loss of life, displacing nearly half a million individuals and leading to an exodus of 60,000 refugees into Burundi in just two weeks, highlighting the severe humanitarian consequences of this crisis.
The tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels continue to escalate, primarily following the tragic events in Bukavu that resulted in multiple casualties. Accusations from both sides point to a complex interplay of local and regional conflicts, exacerbated by historical grievances. Without effective international intervention or resolution mechanisms, the cycle of violence and displacement is likely to persist, posing a grave humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
