Violent Goma Incident Highlights DR Congo's Complex Security Issues
On August 30th, soldiers, including the Republican Guard, conducted a violent operation in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their target was a church and a radio station linked to a group called Agano la Uwezo/Wazalendo. Wazalendo is a Congolese messianic organisation spreading both a religious and political discourse with the idea that external actors are representing a threat to the Congolese sovereignty.
Despite prohibition, the group had planned a protest against the East African Community force, UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) as well as other Western organisations. The UN has been present on the territory since 1999 and was established to monitor the implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement. Eyewitnesses reported that armed elite soldiers killed and injured many civilians as well as arrested others before setting fire to the church. The next day, the government announced that 43 persons died in the attack, 56 were injured and 138 detained.
However, the reports of the event differ between eyewitnesses and the government authorities. On one hand, the government claimed that the intervention was conducted to restore peace after members of the group attacked a police officer. On the other hand, eyewitnesses stated that the lynching occurred only after the government’s intervention. Other sources claim that crowds attempted to gather near the base of the UN mission before being confronted by government security forces. Later, the government tried to justify the intervention by stating that it was supposed to counter the efforts of the group M23 and Rwanda.
This event is not isolated and is part of the series of tensions currently occurring in the country. Those tensions are due to several factors including the presence of M23 rebels but also the anti-MONUSCO as well as the anti-East African force sentiments present amongst the citizens who point to the inefficacy of those organisations. As a result of these anti-MONUSCO sentiments the Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula asked the UN Security Council on the 1st of September to accelerate the plan regarding the withdrawal of MONUSCO's mission. Additionally, the state of siege in the country as well as the upcoming elections starting in November add another layer to these tensions. Indeed, since May the authorities have targeted leaders of the opposition by arresting party officials and restricting their fundamental liberties.
The event of the 30th of August raises concern about the ability of the government to maintain security while granting human rights of freedom and expression, especially during the forthcoming campaign for the election which are highly likely to be a source of rising tensions. One could wonder if the withdrawal of the UN troops would appease the tensions. To some extent, the withdrawal could give a sense of achievement and satisfaction to the population who claimed their dissatisfaction regarding the UN mission and its achievements. As a result, the UN withdrawal could boost the popularity of the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, right before the election.
However, it is important to mention that the withdrawal of the UN troops could further contribute to the insecurity in the region of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Indeed, despite the weak protection that the UN forces constitute, they may be guaranteeing the protection of thousands of displaced people currently grouped around the MONUSCO bases. As such, the withdrawal of the UN troops could increase the risks of attacks and abuses for this population.
The violent incident in Goma on August 30th reflects ongoing tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It raises concerns about governance, security, and human rights amid upcoming elections. Finally, these complexities underscore the challenges that the country faces in its pursuit of stability and democracy.
Image Credits: Bitamala — Edited by GorStra Team