Bomb Blast Kills Three Children in Goma City

The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have predicted a full-scale war between the government army and coalition in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a bomb blast that killed three children.   

The incident happened in the Mugunga district, west of Goma city as fierce fighting between M23 rebels and Armed Forces of Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers and coalition went on in areas of Ndumba and Muremure along Sake-Minova road. The victims were displaced people living at Lushagala site in Mugunga, according to Dedesi Mitima, a resident in the area.     

On Thursday night, Lawrence Kanyuka, the M23 political spokesperson released a statement accusing the FARDC and coalition of firing 122 Millimeter Mortar bombs against M23 positions and densely populated areas in Bweremana, Ndumba, Kashinga, Mutwe, Buyaga, Kauli, Kirumbu and surroundings which led one of them fall into  Chemin du ciel” cemetery in the Virunga National Park.

Kanyuka also accused FARDC and coalition of killing a 29-year-old woman identified as Agnes Zaninka in the Bufaransa area, Espoir Kabebe,20, Desenge Kayiranga,27, Fisi Dukuke,34, and Kape Hategeka and also injuring Elie Hitimana in Bihambwe area. The victims are residents of Kisangani in Tongo groupement.

He also alleges that the FARDC coalition also stole 50 cows from the victims.   

He adds that M23 and Alliance River (Fleuve) Congo (AFC) are deeply concerned about the ongoing attacks. Kanyuka adds that these actions could lead to a full-scale war despite the ongoing efforts of regional leaders and international partners to restore peace in the eastern part of the country.     “We inform the public that, since Thursday, September 12, 2024, the coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime have been attacking the densely populated areas of Ndumba (Sake) and its surroundings. The Congolese Revolutionary Army (ARC) protects and defends our compatriots with professionalism and determination. The Coordination of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) is deeply concerned about the ongoing attacks on the civilian population and the positions of its forces perpetrated by the coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime. These actions could lead to a full-scale war despite the ongoing efforts of regional leaders and international partners to restore peace in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)”, says Kanyuka in a statement.   

On Friday, Lieutenant Colonel Ndjike Kaiko Guillaume , the FARDC spokesperson for North Kivu province released a statement confirming the death of the children saying that they were hit by the mortar bomb dropped in an area where they were collecting firewood.  He says that the children tampered with an unexploded bomb.  

Heavy fighting between the M23 rebels and FARDC soldiers and coalition has in recent days resumed in North Kivu province raising fresh tension and displacement of civilians.   

The conflict between M23 and the Congolese government began in March 2022, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and Emmanuel Sultan Makenga. The war led to the M23/AFC capture and control large parts of Rutshuru, Masisi ,Nyiragongo and Lubero territories in North Kivu province. The DR Congo government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim that both Rwanda and M23 deny. 

The rebels assert that their fight is against corruption, xenophobia and discrimination within the DR Congo's leadership.