The leader of the M23 rebel group, Bertrand Bisimwa, has accused Burundian troops of playing a role in a deadly grenade attack targeting civilians attending a meeting of the AFC/M23 alliance in Bukavu.
According to reports from Bukavu, two grenades were detonated in a crowd of thousands gathered at the ‘Place de l’Indépendance’ just minutes after the AFC/M23 leadership had concluded their meeting.
Bisimwa claimed that the attack was an assassination attempt on AFC leader Corneille Nangaa, orchestrated by the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka further alleged that the attack was carried out following direct orders from President Félix Tshisekedi to South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi. Kanyuka stated that on February 26, 2025, Governor Purusi—who has since fled—was spreading threatening messages on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, reinforcing what he described as the DRC government’s intent to target civilians.
Bisimwa asserted that preliminary investigations indicated that the explosives used in the attack were of the type typically employed by Burundian forces, who are known to be cooperating with the DRC military in operations against M23 rebels in eastern Congo.
“The initial investigation conducted at the scene of the attack in Kinshasa-controlled territory revealed that the explosives used were those commonly deployed by Burundian forces operating in eastern DRC,” Bisimwa stated.
Kanyuka reported that the attack resulted in numerous fatalities, including both civilians and some of the attackers. He also confirmed that M23 had captured two of the assailants, while others involved in the attack were still being pursued.
The AFC/M23 alliance warned the DRC government that this act of violence would have consequences, stating that they were preparing measures to prevent further threats to civilian security.
The incident adds to the growing tensions in eastern DRC, where clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese forces, often backed by regional allies, have intensified in recent months.
