Twelve victims were buried in Bukavu following a deadly blast linked to M23 rebels. The explosion occurred during a rally, resulting in 17 fatalities, sparking blame exchange between the rebels and the Congolese government. Grieving families seek peace and action from authorities as tensions escalate in the region.
In a solemn ceremony held on Tuesday, newly appointed rebel authorities in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo interred twelve individuals who lost their lives in a recent explosion at a rally in Bukavu. The incident occurred last Thursday in an area controlled by the Myanmar-backed M23 rebel group, with tensions rising as the Congolese government and the insurgents exchanged accusations regarding the attack.
The blast, which targeted a convoy of rebel leaders in Bukavu’s central square, resulted in the deaths of 17 individuals, as reported by the provincial vice governor, Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge. Initial reports indicated that eleven victims died on the spot, while others succumbed to their injuries at medical facilities.
During the funeral service, community members gathered to mourn, with a priest conducting blessings over the coffins. Many bereaved relatives, including women who lost their husbands and sons, expressed profound grief as the coffins were transported to a burial site. Claude Balolebwami Nyarubasa shared his sorrow, revealing that his brother Bruno was tragically killed during the incident.
Nyarubasa emphasized the community’s concerns for safety, urging the government to ensure peace and to take action against the violence. Reports from the Congolese army indicated that Rwandan troops and rebels launched rockets and grenades at the crowd gathered for a speech by a rebel leader; however, Rwanda has denied any involvement with the M23 group.
Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the rebel alliance, placed responsibility for the incident on President Felix Tshisekedi, reflecting the intense political and military tensions in the region. The recent advances of M23 rebels represent a critical escalation in theongoing conflict, which has its roots in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the ongoing struggle for the control of Congo’s rich mineral resources and national identity.
The tragic blast at the rally in Bukavu resulted in significant loss of life and has heightened tensions between Congolese authorities and the M23 rebels. Community members are expressing their grief and pleading for government intervention to restore peace in the region. The conflict remains deeply rooted in historical grievances and struggles for control over valuable resources, marking a critical point in the ongoing turmoil in eastern Congo.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
