A violent attack disrupted a public gathering organized by rebel forces in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Attendees scattered when gunshots and explosions erupted through the main square, leaving multiple casualties on the streets.
According to medical personnel speaking with AFP news agency, the hospital received at least 11 dead and 60 injured individuals following the incident. The Rwanda-supported rebels had scheduled this public appearance as their initial community outreach since they gained control of Bukavu, the region's second most populous urban center, earlier this month.
The rebel coalition placed responsibility for the violence on the administration of President Felix Tshisekedi. Taking an opposing stance, Tshisekedi attributed the attack to military personnel from outside Congo operating within the eastern territories.
Before chaos broke out, Corneille Nangaa, who leads the rebel alliance that includes the M23 group, addressed the crowd. He assured residents they would experience improved security under rebel administration. "There will be special units and patrols that will take place in all the communes," Reuters news agency reported him saying.
Reports indicate both Nangaa and M23 representative Bertrand Bisimwa had departed the location before violence erupted. Nangaa later announced authorities detained two individuals connected with the attack and continued searching for additional suspects. He stated firmly that those responsible would face consequences for their actions.
The rebel campaign has steadily advanced across eastern Congo since January, securing control of major population centers, including Goma, the largest city in the area, alongside Bukavu. United Nations officials report approximately 500,000 people have fled their homes due to the fighting, which has intensified existing humanitarian challenges throughout the region.
Both the African Union and United Nations have urged combatants to cease hostilities and called for rebel forces to exit territories they currently occupy. The Rwandan government previously rejected accusations of supporting M23 rebels but recently shifted its position, claiming that military activities near the Rwanda-Congo border represent a threat to Rwanda's national security interests. UN investigators have estimated between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan military personnel are present in eastern Congo.
According to medical personnel speaking with AFP news agency, the hospital received at least 11 dead and 60 injured individuals following the incident. The Rwanda-supported rebels had scheduled this public appearance as their initial community outreach since they gained control of Bukavu, the region's second most populous urban center, earlier this month.
The rebel coalition placed responsibility for the violence on the administration of President Felix Tshisekedi. Taking an opposing stance, Tshisekedi attributed the attack to military personnel from outside Congo operating within the eastern territories.
Before chaos broke out, Corneille Nangaa, who leads the rebel alliance that includes the M23 group, addressed the crowd. He assured residents they would experience improved security under rebel administration. "There will be special units and patrols that will take place in all the communes," Reuters news agency reported him saying.
Reports indicate both Nangaa and M23 representative Bertrand Bisimwa had departed the location before violence erupted. Nangaa later announced authorities detained two individuals connected with the attack and continued searching for additional suspects. He stated firmly that those responsible would face consequences for their actions.
The rebel campaign has steadily advanced across eastern Congo since January, securing control of major population centers, including Goma, the largest city in the area, alongside Bukavu. United Nations officials report approximately 500,000 people have fled their homes due to the fighting, which has intensified existing humanitarian challenges throughout the region.
Both the African Union and United Nations have urged combatants to cease hostilities and called for rebel forces to exit territories they currently occupy. The Rwandan government previously rejected accusations of supporting M23 rebels but recently shifted its position, claiming that military activities near the Rwanda-Congo border represent a threat to Rwanda's national security interests. UN investigators have estimated between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan military personnel are present in eastern Congo.
