Bukavu, DRC – A deadly explosion rocked a rally held by Corneille Nangaa this Thursday in Bukavu, a city currently under the control of the AFC/M23 rebellion, leaving multiple casualties.Conflicting reports have emerged about the cause of the explosion, further deepening tensions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the M23 rebels.
According to statements from the M23 rebels, the blast was a deliberate attack by Kinshasa, accusing the Congolese government of “dropping a bomb into the crowd”.However, the DRC government, which is yet to comment on the development, has been calling for the immediate withdrawal of the M23 rebels, whom it has consistently accused of being supported by Rwanda.
The incident is likely to heighten fears of escalating violence in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels have seized significant territory over the past two years.
Corneille Nangaa, a former head of the DRC’s electoral commission, has recently aligned himself with the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) and the M23 rebellion.The East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU) have previously called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but with violence flaring up again, diplomatic efforts could face further setbacks.
The United Nations has also expressed concern about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region, as clashes between the Congolese army (FARDC) and M23 rebels continue to displace thousands of civilians. The explosion in Bukavu now adds a new layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
