Deadly Blasts at Rally in Eastern Congo Trade Blame
Democratic Republic of Congo's government and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels traded blame on Friday 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 escalating conflict in eastern Congo highlights the need for targeted international intervention to address the root causes of the violence, including humanitarian crises and economic disparities.
- How will the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict impact the humanitarian situation on the ground, particularly for civilians caught in the middle?