M23 Rebel Movement Blamed for Deadly Explosions in Bukavu

The M23 rebel group is believed to be responsible for a deadly double explosion in Bukavu, claiming 13 lives and injuring over a hundred during a political rally. Eyewitnesses reported M23 militiamen reacted violently to anti-Rwandan chants, leading to grenade attacks. The security situation in Bukavu is deteriorating, with local self-defense groups emerging amidst rising violence.

On February 27, a violent incident in Bukavu, South Kivu province, resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals and injuries to over a hundred. Local sources attribute the explosions to the M23 rebel movement, specifically linked to a political rally led by Corneille Nanga, the coordinator of the Congo River Alliance. The M23 has denied responsibility and instead blamed the Congolese authorities.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that tensions escalated during the rally. Following Nanga’s address, a group of young attendees shouted anti-Rwandan sentiments, angering M23 militiamen present at the event. Reports suggest that grenades were subsequently thrown from trucks occupied by the militias, causing destruction and chaos in the crowd.

A security source emphasizes the immediate surrounding of the explosion sites by M23 militants, who obstructed the collection of bomb fragments and evidence. The following day, the area was reportedly cleared of any signs of the attack, including blood. Furthermore, the local security context in Bukavu remains dire, with the populace resorting to vigilantism due to the absence of police protection.

Amidst rising violence, local self-defense groups known as “Wazalendo” are re-organizing after army forces fled. On March 1, the Wazalendo ambushed an M23 unit near Minova, resulting in approximately 50 fatalities. Ongoing skirmishes are focused around Nyangesi, a crucial route between Bukavu and the surrounding plain, with both factions maintaining positions in close proximity to each other.

In summary, the Bukavu attack attributed to the M23 resulted in significant loss of life and injuries, indicating a deepening security crisis in the region. Eyewitness testimony and the immediate response of M23 militants suggest a calculated effort to control the narrative. The emergence of local militias reflects the deteriorating state of law and order, as the population grapples with violence in the absence of effective governance.

Original Source: www.fides.org