At least 11 dead and 65 injured in Congo after blasts at M23 rebel leaders’ rally, rebels say

By Janvier Barhahiga and Monika Pronczuk

At least 11 people have been killed in explosions at a rally being held on Thursday by M23 rebel group leaders in the captured city of Bukavu, eastern Congo.

“The attack caused 11 deaths and verifications are underway. The author of the attack is among the victims,” Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which includes the M23, told reporters. “There are 65 injured, six of whom are seriously injured and are currently being treated in the operating room.”

He said that “following today’s unfortunate incident, we are obliged to react and move the threats far away from the province of South Kivu.”

Leaders of the M23 rebel group, including Nangaa, were meeting residents when the explosions occurred in the central part of Bukavu. Video and photos shared on social media showed a crowd fleeing the mass rally in Bukavu and bloodied bodies on the