Insecurity and Despair in Bukavu: A Community Under Siege

Bukavu faces escalating violence with nightly fatalities following the M23 takeover. Local gangs engage in theft, while major looting occurs under the rebels’ command. Social life has ceased, schools are closed due to parental fears, and media restrictions heighten the city’s atmosphere of despair.

The city of Bukavu is currently experiencing severe insecurity, with reports indicating that nightly discoveries of bodies have become commonplace. Local church sources state that, “Not a night goes by in Bukavu without finding three or four bodies on the street. Bodies also emerge from the lake,” identifying the chaotic environment following the M23 rebel movement’s takeover in mid-February. This uptick in violence has led to a lawless climate dominated by criminal gangs and the M23’s oppressive presence.

Criminal activities have intensified, with gangs engaging in small and large thefts. However, major looting has been attributed to the M23 and its allies, as they operate with little to no accountability. Notably, a bank was robbed and multiple cassiterite deposits were pillaged shortly after the M23 officially entered the city. Reports indicate that this looting took place not solely due to panic but was orchestrated by armed occupiers taking advantage of the unrest.

The scale of the looting is alarming; one incident involved the theft of sealed barrels of cassiterite by M23 affiliates who assaulted and detained guards before transporting the minerals in large buses. In response, local authorities appealed for public cooperation, yet concerns about safety prevent effective communication as residents fear armed reprisals from the soldiers. Both the Red Cross and families have been involved in burying the victims of these attacks, indicating a tragic state of affairs.

Due to the prevailing insecurity, social life in Bukavu has virtually halted. Schools have not reopened, as parents express apprehension about their children’s safety and struggle with financial hardships. With rising poverty, the responsibility of paying teachers’ salaries is unclear, placing further strain on the educational system. Journalists face strict controls on their reporting, compelled to glorify the M23 while refraining from using terms like “occupied zones.”

The cumulative effect of these tensions has cast a pall over Bukavu, marking a significant deviation from the typically vibrant spirit of the Congolese populace. The community is engulfed in a profound sadness, reflecting the dire circumstances they are enduring.

In summary, Bukavu is grappling with heightened insecurity and violence following the M23 rebel takeover, leading to increased crime and lawlessness. Major looting, orchestrated by armed groups, has gone unchecked, exacerbating local economic hardships and social instability. The educational system is in crisis due to parents’ fears for their children’s safety and financial challenges. Furthermore, media censorship adds to the oppressive atmosphere, further isolating the community amid their distress.

Original Source: www.fides.org