Bukavu, DRC – In the aftermath of the terror attack in Bukavu, which claimed 11 lives and injured 65 others, the AFC/M23 leadership has condemned the assault and vowed decisive action to eliminate security threats in eastern DRC.
Speaking at a press conference following the bombing, AFC/M23 Coordinator Corneille Nangaa issued a strong warning, declaring that the group will push back the threat “very, very, very far from Kivu.” The remarks signal a shift in AFC/M23’s posture, indicating a more aggressive response to ongoing attacks.
The bombing, which targeted a crowded gathering in Bukavu, is widely seen as part of Kinshasa’s escalating war tactics. The AFC/M23 has directly blamed President Félix Tshisekedi, accusing his government of orchestrating the attack in an attempt to silence political opposition and maintain control over eastern DRC.
With tensions running high, Nangaa dismissed the prospect of international sanctions, sarcastically challenging Western powers to “activate your stupid sanctions now.” His remarks highlight growing frustration with selective international responses to the crisis, as Kinshasa’s forces and allied militias continue to commit atrocities in eastern DRC with impunity.
The Bukavu attack follows a pattern of escalating violence, including drone strikes and targeted bombings on civilian areas in South Kivu, which AFC/M23 says constitutes crimes against humanity. The group has vowed to neutralize security threats beyond Kivu, a statement that could mark a significant shift in the conflict’s dynamics.
As the situation deteriorates, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the Kinshasa government’s role in escalating hostilities. Whether the ICC, which recently sent its Prosecutor General to meet Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, will act on the growing evidence of war crimes remains to be seen.