DRC: Planted Explosion Kills 11, Injures Over 60 At An M23 Rally In Bukavu City
On Thursday, 11 people were killed and 65 wounded in explosions at an M23 rebel gathering in the eastern Congo city of Bukavu, according to the rebel alliance’s head, who blamed the violence on President Felix Tshisekedi.
Congo’s president, which claims neighboring Rwanda is supporting the separatists, said on X that “several” people had died and blamed “a foreign army illegally present on Congolese soil”.
Neither party provided proof to support their claims.
Bomb explosion disrupts M23 rally in Bukavu, eastern DRC, killing many and injuring others. pic.twitter.com/hC1BwfMQBw
— T_CAS videos (@tecas2000) February 27, 2025
The incident posed a risk of escalating the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s mineral-rich east, which has already involved numerous neighboring countries.
Corneille Nangaa, the leader of a rebel movement that includes M23, stated during a news conference that the grenades fired were the same sort as those used by Burundi’s army in Congo.
Reuters could not independently confirm this.
Burundi has had forces in eastern Congo for years, first to hunt down Burundian rebels, then more recently to aid in the war against M23.
Brigadier General Gaspard Baratuza, the Burundian army’s spokesperson, condemned the attack.
BIG BREAKING NEWS
— WW3 Monitor (@WW3_Monitor) February 27, 2025
Democratic Republic of Congo military cells in Bukavu, eastern DR Congo, carry out an explosion targeting a pro-M23 rally. Very high number of casualties reported.
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He stated on X that there were no Burundian soldiers in Bukavu, but did not directly address Nangaa’s claim regarding the grenades.
The rebels have been moving across the country’s east since the beginning of the year, taking Bukavu and Goma, the region’s major city.
Following the explosion in Bukavu, people fled through the streets, some carrying the injured.
A medical source stated that 68 people were being treated for injuries at the city’s major hospital.
Crowds run in terror as explosions hit M23 rebel rally in captured DRC city of Bukavu pic.twitter.com/aIcUKTzkIO
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) February 28, 2025
Witness Musanga Tambwe reported hearing two powerful explosions.
“A plastic bag was thrown in front of us… We didn’t know what was inside,” said Tambwe, who was later treated for wounds at the hospital.
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“We were just looking at it. Suddenly, there was an explosion. Poof! We fell to the ground and ran away,”
Nangaa stated that he was not injured and that other prominent members of the rebel group were safe.
Congo, the United Nations, and Western nations accuse bordering Rwanda of supporting M23, which Rwanda denies.
Rwanda says it is defending itself against a Hutu militia that it claims is fighting alongside the Congolese soldiers.
DRC: Planted Explosion Kills 11, Injures Over 60 At An M23 Rally In Bukavu City
