Ceremony Honors Victims of Explosive Attack in Eastern Congo

Twelve victims of a grenade explosion at a rally in Bukavu, eastern Congo, were buried in a ceremony led by newly appointed rebel authorities. The attack, attributed to M23 rebels amid disputes over blame, left 17 dead, prompting calls for peace from grieving family members. The incident marks a grave escalation in the long-standing conflict in the region.

On Tuesday, a ceremony was held to lay to rest twelve victims who perished in a tragic explosion during a rally in Bukavu, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The event occurred last Thursday, and the region has been under the dominion of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group since February. Following the blast, the Congolese government and the insurgents exchanged accusations regarding responsibility for the attack.

Eyewitnesses reported that a grenade aimed at a convoy of rebel leaders detonated in a crowded city square. The provincial vice governor, Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, indicated that the explosion claimed 17 lives, with eleven individuals dying at the scene and several others succumbing to injuries in medical facilities. The funeral service featured somber expressions, with a priest performing blessings over the coffins as mourning relatives expressed their grief.

One victim’s brother, Claude Balolebwami Nyarubasa, described his loss, stating that grenade explosions claimed the life of his older brother, Bruno, who was present in the square during the incident. He voiced concern for ongoing violence, urging the government to ensure peace for the residents. “We plead with the government to help us, let these killings stop,” Nyarubasa stated.

The Congolese military reported that Rwandan forces and M23 rebels had launched rockets and grenades upon the gathering assembled for a speech by a rebel leader, which has been denied by Rwandan authorities. Rebel alliance leader Corneille Nangaa has attributed the attack to President Felix Tshisekedi, indicating a deeper political conflict.

The escalation of M23 rebel activities represents a significant intensification in the long-standing discord within eastern Congo, a conflict exacerbated by historical tensions following Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, intertwined with the struggles for mineral wealth and national identity within Congo.

This tragic incident has drawn attention to the ongoing violence in eastern Congo, which is marked by political conflict and struggles related to regional control. The exchange of blame between the Congolese government and the rebel group highlights a complex and deteriorating situation. With calls for the government to restore peace, the community continues to grapple with the consequences of such violence as they mourn their lost loved ones.

Original Source: www.usnews.com