Bukavu: Several killed in attack at AFC/M23 leaders' meeting

Several residents of Bukavu, the capital of DR Congo’s South Kivu Province, were killed, and others injured after bombs exploded during a meeting organized by the AFC/M23 on Thursday, February 27. The meeting, led by Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the political-military coalition, initially proceeded smoothly, drawing a large crowd. Videos circulating on social media show bodies lying on the ground after the explosions, prompting residents to flee. The exact number of casualties has not yet confirmed. Bertrand Bisimwa, the president of the M23, accused President Félix Tshisekedi’s governme

Several residents of Bukavu, the capital of DR Congo’s South Kivu Province, were killed, and others injured after bombs exploded during a meeting organized by the AFC/M23 on Thursday, February 27. The meeting, led by Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the political-military coalition, initially proceeded smoothly, drawing a large crowd. Videos circulating on social media show bodies lying on the ground after the explosions, prompting residents to flee. The exact number of casualties has not yet confirmed. Bertrand Bisimwa, the president of the M23, accused President Félix Tshisekedi’s government of targeting civilians and attempting to eliminate Nangaa. " Mr. Tshisekedi's regime has just carried out the threat that has been circulating since yesterday on social media targeting the civilian population that would participate in the AFC/M23 meeting, the day planned, according to the authors of the threat, for the physical elimination of Coordinator Corneille Nangaa," Bisimwa wrote on his X account. He continued, stating, "This Thursday, February 27, 2025, a few minutes after the meeting, the forces of evil dropped bombs on the civilian population gathered at the meeting site, causing several deaths and injuries, all innocent civilians." During the meeting, Nangaa vowed to liberate Uvira within two days and appoint a new governor for South Kivu Province, similar to what was done in North Kivu after the capture of Goma.