AFRICA/D.R. CONGO – Tensions in Goma due to the protests of the population demanding for more safety and the blue helmets

AFRICA/D.R. CONGO – Tensions in Goma owing to protests by the people demanding more safety and blue helmets

Kinshasa, Agency Fides – Tensions rose on the sidelines a protest called “Dead City” that was held in Goma today September 26th. It was called by North Kivu civil societies organizations. Protests demanded the liberation of Bunangana, currently under the control of the M23 rebels group, as well as the withdrawal of MONUSCO (UN mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo).
Many schools, shops, and markets are still closed. There is very little public transport available and students who tried to go to school have been forced home.
The population demands an end to the state of Emergency that was imposed in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on May 6, 2021 (see Fides, 7/5/2021). This is to combat the armed groups responsible for the destruction and death in the three regions. The fate of Bunagana village, which has been held hostage by the M23 guerrilla group for approximately 100 days, has prompted local residents to call for decisive intervention from the Congolese Armed Forces. The population also requests the withdrawal of MONUSCO units, which, according the population, cannot guarantee security (see Fides 2/9/2022).
Conflicts between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Rwanda are also being caused by the “resurgence of the M23 guerrilla group which actually laid down its arms back in 2013.” The Kinshasa government has accused Rwanda of funding the M23 fighters, as well as smuggling its soldiers into the country under the guise guerrilla fighters. At the United Nations General Assembly Felix Tshisekedi, Congolese President, also made similar allegations. According to him, Rwanda was responsible for the “direct military aggression” and “occupation of eastern DRC by allegedly supporting M23’s armed rebellion by the Kigali government.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (OCHA), more than 250,000 internally displaced persons were forced to flee violence by various armed groups in northern-eastern DRC between June and September. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 26/9/2022)

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