Escalating Insecurity in Bukavu: A Community in Crisis

Insecurity in Bukavu, DRC, has reached alarming levels, with daily discoveries of bodies on the streets. The M23 rebellion has led to rampant gang activity and major thefts. Social life has been severely disrupted, as parents fear for their children’s safety, leading to school closures, while the community grapples with extensive looting and human rights violations.

In Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, insecurity has escalated dramatically, with reports indicating that nightly discoveries of bodies in the streets have become commonplace. Local church sources state, “Not a night goes by in Bukavu without finding three or four bodies on the street. Bodies also emerge from the lake,” reflecting the deteriorating security situation since the M23 rebel movement gained control in mid-February.

Criminal gangs operate in the area, engaging primarily in theft rather than murder, while major looting is perpetrated by the M23 and its associates. High-profile incidents include the emptying of a bank and extensive looting of cassiterite deposits. Reports highlight that the unrest began before the M23’s official takeover, with significant looting occurring during their initial entry into the city on February 14.

The scale of the looting has been alarming, with instances where guards were assaulted and valuable resources, such as sealed barrels of cassiterite, were stolen under the cover of night. Populations are urged to report these crimes, yet skepticism prevails as citizens contend with the harsh reality of armed violence. As expressed by a local plant operator, “To whom?”.

Humanitarian concerns have escalated, with recent violence resulting in the burial of victims in municipal cemeteries, while families struggle to cope with the allegations of insufficient reparations. Residents face dire transport limitations due to confiscation of vehicles, which raises questions about the implications of the ongoing conflict and the involvement of Rwandan entities.

The ongoing crisis in Bukavu, marked by rampant insecurity and social unrest, has prompted grave humanitarian concerns and a substantial shift in community engagement. The emergence of the M23 and their activities appear to exacerbate the plight of the local population, underscoring the urgent need for intervention and support. Reports of fear among parents about sending children to school and attempts to control media narratives highlight the broader implications of this conflict, calling for immediate attention on multiple fronts.

Original Source: www.fides.org