Democratic Republic of Congo’s government and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels on Friday traded blame for explosions at a rally in the rebel-held eastern city of Bukavu that killed 13 people and wounded scores.
The finger-pointing over Thursday’s incident has further inflamed tensions in eastern Congo, where a rebel advance this year has drawn in neighbouring armies, raising fears of a regional war.
Congo’s army said Rwandan troops and rebels fired rockets and grenades into a crowd gathered on Thursday in Bukavu’s central square for a speech by one of M23’s leaders.
“The Rwandan army and its (proxies) bombed and fired live ammunition at the civilian population,” Congo’s interior ministry said in a statement posted on X.
Meanwhile, the Rwandan government has repeatedly denied supporting the M23 rebels.
Corneille Nangaa, leader of a rebel alliance that includes M23, blamed Congo’s president, Felix Tshisekedi.
Nangaa said on Thursday that the grenades were the same type used by Burundi’s army, which is supporting Congolese forces.
Burundi’s army spokesman said none of its soldiers were in Bukavu, without addressing the grenade allegation.
Two witnesses told Reuters they saw an attacker try to fire a grenade at a convoy of rebel leaders but miss his target, instead killing people gathered at the rally.
“The grenade exploded too soon,” one of the witnesses said. Both said the blast killed the attacker.
Bukavu residents volunteered on Friday to donate blood for the wounded after hearing blood stocks were depleted.
A medical source said on Thursday that the city’s general hospital was treating 68 people for injuries. Congo’s interior ministry said “nearly 100” had been seriously wounded.
“We were invited to come and give our blood after the problem that hit our brothers yesterday so they can find life again,” said the blood donor, Augustin Mihigo.
