Bomb attacks on displacement camps in eastern DR Congo result in the deaths of at least 12 individuals

Congolese government, US blame Rwandan army and M23 rebel group for targeting camps where thousands are seeking refuge.

May 04, 2024

At least 12 people, including children, were killed in twin bomb blasts that hit two camps for displaced people in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The attacks occurred in Lac Vert and Mugunga, near the city of Goma, which is the capital of North Kivu province. The United Nations described the attacks as a flagrant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, potentially constituting a war crime. Many of the victims were sleeping in their tents when the bombs were fired at the camps, causing injuries to at least 20 people. The Congolese military and the United States accused the military in neighboring Rwanda and the M23 rebel group of being responsible for the attacks.

The DRC, the UN and Western countries have said Rwanda is supporting the group in a bid to control mines and mineral resources. Rwanda has denied the allegations.

On Saturday, Rwanda denied the US accusations as “ridiculous”.

Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) is a “professional army” that would never attack displaced people. In a post on X, Makolo instead blamed the assault on militias supported by the Congolese military.

Lieutenant-Colonel Guillaume Njike Kaiko, a spokesperson for the DRC’s army in the region, said the attacks were retaliation for earlier DRC strikes on Rwandan army positions in which arms and ammunition were destroyed.

This is a developing story