Funeral Held for Victims of Deadly Blast in Eastern Congo
Twelve victims of a recent grenade explosion at a rally in Bukavu, eastern Congo, were interred by newly appointed rebel authorities. The explosion, attributed to M23 rebels backed by Rwanda, resulted in 17 deaths. The tragedy has intensified calls for peace from grieving families and highlighted the ongoing conflict rooted in historical and resource disputes.
On Tuesday, twelve victims of a tragic explosion at a rally in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo were buried in a ceremony overseen by the newly appointed rebel authorities. The explosion occurred last Thursday in Bukavu, a city currently held by the M23 rebels, who have been supported by Rwanda since February. Following the blast, the government and insurgents exchanged accusations regarding the culpability for the incident.
Witnesses indicated that a grenade aimed at a convoy of rebel leaders tragically missed and detonated among the crowd. According to the new provincial vice governor, Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, the explosion killed 17 individuals, with eleven fatalities occurring instantly and the remainder succumbing to injuries in the hospital. At the funeral, mourners gathered to sing, and a priest blessed the coffins with holy water as the victims’ loved ones wept.
One grieving individual, Claude Balolebwami Nyarubasa, recounted how his brother Bruno lost his life in the blast while passing through the central square during the rally. “At the moment, we are very worried, we ask our government to guarantee us peace… We plead with the government to help us, let these killings stop,” Nyarubasa expressed to Reuters.
In response to the tragedy, Congo’s army claimed that Rwandan troops and rebels had targeted a crowd attending a speech by a rebel leader using rockets and grenades, a claim that Rwanda has denied. The leader of the rebel coalition, Corneille Nangaa, attributed the attack to President Felix Tshisekedi.
This recent escalation of violence by the M23 rebels represents a significant intensification in the long-standing conflict in eastern Congo, which has roots in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and ongoing disputes over the nation’s extensive mineral wealth and identity.
The burial of the twelve victims underscores the ongoing violence and instability in eastern Congo, exacerbated by the M23 rebels’ actions and the complex political backdrop involving Rwanda. With escalating tensions between the government and armed groups, calls for peace and security are more urgent than ever as affected communities seek assurances against further bloodshed.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
