Violent clashes between the M23 rebels and self-proclaimed patriotic fighters known as Wazalendo continue to devastate the population in the Tongo and Bambo areas of North Kivu, particularly in the villages of Kabizo, Butare, and Bundabi. Civilians are increasingly subjected to killings, sexual violence, and looting by armed groups operating in the region.
Daily life disrupted: Soaring prices and a paralyzed education system
A 120-kilogram bag of cassava now costs between 15,000 and 25,000 CFA francs (around $9 USD), as food becomes scarce due to insecurity. “Farmers try to cultivate, but it’s in vain,” one resident says. Mothers can no longer afford basic clothing like loincloths, and many children have dropped out of school. Teachers are unpaid, which has led to a total shutdown of the education sector.
Looting and extortion worsen civilian suffering
In the villages of Ngoroba, Mutanda, Kashaliro, and Bukombo, armed criminals continue to loot homes. According to residents of Bwito, Wazalendo fighters are imposing a mandatory “tax” of $10 on every adult male, adding further pressure on an already struggling population.
Displacement as a survival tactic
To escape violence, many residents have fled their homes and regrouped in one or two villages considered relatively safer. While a few small markets remain operational, there is a serious shortage of goods, produce, and manufactured items due to the volatile situation.
Aid is arriving, but not enough
Humanitarian organizations such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Action Against Hunger (ACF) are providing assistance in the affected areas, including Bambo, Kabizo, Kirumba, and Kishishe. However, local sources emphasize that the needs remain enormous, as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.
