Prud Zihalirwa is a young entrepreneur from the Republic of Congo specializing in digital communications and marketing. He is passionate about digital technologies and strives to promote human rights, as well as education and Internet regulation issues. As a youth ambassador for the Panzi Foundation (a non-profit organization headquartered in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The organization provides comprehensive medical and psychological support, helps to restore the lives of victims and give them hope for the future.) Pond works to promote social justice and support vulnerable segments of society. In this article, the author reflects on the constantly escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
For more than 225 days, the city of Goma, capital of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been living under the occupation of the M23-AFC rebellion. This prolonged crisis has plunged the city into an unprecedented situation, combining insecurity, economic paralysis, and the displacement of part of its population.
A City Deprived of Vital Services
Since the start of this occupation, banks have remained closed, the airport is inaccessible, and countless jobs have disappeared. Many businesses have shut down, while shops looted during the conflict have never reopened. The local economy, once sustained by cross-border trade and services, is now in deep shock.
Constant Insecurity and Daily Loss of Life
The security situation is alarming. Every single day, the city records deaths often more than one person killed in acts of violence that occur at no specific time or place.
Assailants, often riding motorbikes, strike at any moment: early in the morning, in broad daylight, or at night, spreading fear among residents.
A Deepening Financial and Economic Crisis
The absence of banking institutions and an operational airport has worsened a severe financial and economic crisis. Transactions are difficult, investment is at a standstill, and the city runs at a fraction of its potential despite the determination of its people.
The Daily Cross-Border Commute to Gisenyi
Faced with insecurity, a large portion of Goma’s youth has moved to Gisenyi, a neighboring Rwandan city. Many Congolese now live in Gisenyi but continue to work in Goma. Every day, they cross the border entering in the morning to work and returning in the evening to sleep a routine dictated by the war and constant threats.
Resilience and Hope in the Midst of Turmoil
Despite these challenges, Goma remains a city of resilience. Its people, known for their entrepreneurial spirit and ability to adapt, strive to rebuild a sense of normalcy. Local initiatives continue to emerge, showing the determination not to surrender in the face of adversity.
Goma is enduring one of the darkest chapters in its recent history, marked by total insecurity, a deep economic crisis, and a mass exodus. Yet, the energy, creativity, and solidarity of its residents offer a glimmer of hope for the future. The city fights, day after day, to rise again despite the war.
