M23 Claims Responsibility for Deadly Attack in Bukavu, Sparking Controversy

The M23 group claims an attack in Bukavu killed eleven and injured sixteen, allegedly using grenades like those of the Burundian military. The incident has led to accusations against the Congolese government, while local military officials denied involvement. Eyewitness accounts describe chaos and panic during the event attended by thousands.

The M23 group alleged that an attack in Bukavu resulted in the deaths of eleven people, with reports indicating that similar grenades were utilized as those employed by the Burundian military. The attack occurred during an event attended by the group’s leader, where many were gathered to listen to his address. Reports suggest that the violence resulted in at least sixteen injuries amidst the chaos of a crowd present at the venue.

In the aftermath, Colonel Gaspard Baratuza, a spokesperson for the Burundian military, dismissed the allegations, claiming that their forces are not present in the city, contesting that the incident constitutes an act of terror. M23’s attack has been labeled as targeting civilians, with two individuals reportedly captured as the suspected perpetrators.

Corneille Nangaa, representing M23, confirmed that the death toll included one of the attackers, emphasizing that the community saw numerous fatalities and injuries. Injured victims are presently receiving medical treatment in local hospitals, indicating the attack’s severe impact on the population.

The M23 group has placed blame for the incident on President Tshisekedi’s government, asserting that foreign forces conducted the assault. Conversely, President Tshisekedi expressed condolences to the victims’ families, condemning the act as terrorism perpetrated by unauthorized foreign troops within the country.

Reports from the security situation state that the attack took place within a large crowd, estimated at over 10,000 individuals, who had gathered to hear the M23 leadership. Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions, leading to panic as people fled, with some bodies seen on the ground among many injured.

The attack happened during a concluding session of a meeting, as M23 leadership indicated intentions to extend their operations into Uvira and Fizi regions. Nangaa advised that updates on new provincial leaders would be provided within 48 hours, emphasizing the group’s ongoing control efforts in the East Kivu area.

The recent attack in Bukavu, attributed to the M23 group, has resulted in eleven fatalities and several injuries, sparking a tense exchange between M23 and the Burundian military. The incident has shifted focus onto the complex interactions among various armed groups and the government’s responses, as calls for accountability grow amidst the upheaval. Continued monitoring of the situation is essential to understand the broader implications of such violence in the region.

Original Source: www.bbc.com