A testimony by Loochi Muzaliwa from Bukavu
War is once again at the doorstep of the city of Bukavu, the capital of the province of South Kivu. Everyone is talking about yet another liberation. The M23 rebels are advancing rapidly from the city of Goma. I make several calls to people from the villages in the Kalehe region, north of the city. They tell me that the fall of the city of Bukavu is imminent. It reminds me of previous events: the war of 1996 under the AFDL, which caused a bloodbath in the city, with more than ten thousand dead. In 2004, Laurent Nkunda's CNDP followed the same path as the men of M23 today, systematically using rape as a weapon of war.
I am becoming increasingly worried. This time it is different, I am no longer single, I am now the father of a family, with about ten people under my care. Professionally too, as a journalist, lawyer and humanitarian worker, I feel increasingly exposed. Less than a year ago, I spent six months in Kinshasa in the prisons of the National Intelligence Service because of my work. What should I do? Flee or stay? The city of Goma fell a week ago, the only route left is to the south, but Uvira, is not safe, armed groups roam the area. So the only option is Bujumbura in neighbouring Burundi. But I have to decide quickly, the borders will not remain open forever. Documents are difficult to obtain, there are roadblocks in the Ruzizi plain and problems with fleeing Congolese soldiers. The risks are great for a convoy of ten people, with women and children. Young adolescents also run the risk of being forcibly recruited into armed groups or by the army, as porters at the front. In addition, one of my sons is stuck on the island of Idjwi, where he studied. Leaving and leaving him behind? That would sound like treason in his mind. Cash is also becoming increasingly scarce, the banks are no longer open. Time is pressing, I have to make a decision, my responsibility is great. After a thousand considerations, we finally stay on the spot, to face this umpteenth pseudo-liberation.
Under the rule of the 'baby soldiers'
The advance of the M23 rebels on the ground is happening quickly. Bukavu, fearing the 'intruders', turns to God. The appeal of the Catholic prelate of Bukavu and civil society to avoid any conflict in the city has been successful, the battle for Bukavu will not take place! The government troops and their allies leave Bukavu in a fairly orderly manner and move to the southern part of the province of South Kivu. Without the presence of the government, army and police, the city is handed over to hordes of looters who storm the ammunition depots in various military camps. For three days I dare not stick my nose outside, children of sometimes only ten years old fire salvos around the deserted streets of the city. Drunk, with a Kalashnikov over their shoulder, they plunder shops and stalls. Stray bullets fall like a fine rain and make silent victims. The nights are uncertain and full of fear, revenge actions sound in the darkness, an ideal moment to think about the predicament. In such circumstances, living under the bed and keeping quiet seems the ultimate solution.
Life under the new regime
While the city of Bukavu falls, only the newly arrived soldiers are visible in the streets. At first they are cheered by a disillusioned population, but disillusionment soon follows, insecurity increases. Trade is slowly resuming, the government offices remain closed, the banks are deserted, the ATMs are no longer working. Bukavu is running at a low flame. Not a single policeman is visible, only a few military jeeps drive by quickly. Here and there, curious people chat in small groups during the day. Radios to the ear, but in the end only a handful of radio stations of the fifteen in the city are broadcasting, men gather to listen to the latest news. But in the end not much comes out, the short waves of the French radio RFI are difficult to hear. Local radios play music all day. The schools have finally reopened, but the teachers do not know when and by whom they will be paid.
The days are long and monotonous. At 6 pm there is no one outside anymore, everyone barricades themselves. Shots are fired here and there, whistles and vuvuzelas sound, they are emergency calls. In some neighborhoods, suspected thieves fall into the hands of young neighborhood patrols. The sentence is pronounced quickly, it is popular revenge! The stake as in the good old days of medieval Europe. The M23 declares that they have nothing to do with bandits, they have no prisons and even less police. In the morning, the macabre balance