Twelve victims of a recent explosion at a Bukavu rally in Eastern Congo were buried on Tuesday by newly appointed rebel authorities. The blast, attributed to a misfired grenade aimed at rebel leaders, resulted in 17 deaths. Witnesses and grieving families have called for government intervention for peace as tensions with Rwandan rebels escalate, amidst ongoing blame between local authorities and the Congolese government.
On Tuesday, twelve victims of a tragic explosion during a rally in Bukavu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, were laid to rest in a ceremony conducted by the newly appointed rebel authorities. This incident occurred last Thursday, amidst a tense climate as the city has been under the influence of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels since February. As authorities exchanged accusations regarding the attack, it was revealed that a grenade intended for a convoy of rebel leaders missed its target, resulting in significant casualties.
According to the new provincial vice governor, Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, the blast claimed the lives of 17 individuals, with 11 people dying at the scene and others later succumbing to their injuries in hospitals. During the funeral, residents engaged in communal mourning, with a priest blessing the coffins. Grieving relatives, including women who lost their husbands and sons, witnessed the somber procession to the cemetery.
A witness, Claude Balolebwami Nyarubasa, shared the sorrow of losing his brother Bruno to the grenade explosion while he was passing through the square. “At the moment, we are very worried, very worried, we ask our government to guarantee us peace… We plead with the government to help us, let these killings stop,” Nyarubasa expressed during an interview.
In the aftermath of the attack, Congo’s army accused Rwandan troops and allied rebels of firing rockets and grenades into the crowd gathered for a speech by a rebel leader; however, Rwanda has denied any support for the M23 faction. Corneille Nangaa, leader of a rebel alliance, attributed blame for the incident to President Felix Tshisekedi, further complicating the already tense political landscape.
This escalation represents the most severe intensification in the conflict that has plagued Eastern Congo for over a decade, driven by historical tensions stemming from Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and ongoing struggles surrounding control of the region’s abundant mineral resources and national identity.
The funeral of the tragedy’s victims highlights the grave situation in Eastern Congo, where the conflict continues to escalate under the insurgent M23’s control. Accusations between local authorities and Rwandan forces illustrate the complexities and dangers faced by the civilian population. This incident further underscores the urgent need for peace and stability in the region, with grieving families calling on their government for action against the violence that disrupts their lives.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
