Surge in Mob Violence in Rebel-Held Bukavu, DRC Claims 11 Lives

In Bukavu, DRC, mob violence has claimed at least 11 lives following the army’s withdrawal, prompting residents to enact vigilante justice. Supported by Rwanda, M23 rebels seek to establish control and order, retraining local police, yet serious concerns over safety persist as the local police remain largely absent. The situation is escalating, tied to larger historical conflicts over resources and ethnic tensions.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo city of Bukavu, at least 11 fatalities have been reported amid a surge of mob violence following the withdrawal of government forces. Witnesses and a civil society activist disclosed that the violence has intensified as residents increasingly take justice into their own hands in response to the absence of police intervention. The M23 rebels, who are supported by Rwanda, are asserting their influence by attempting to establish order within the city while retraining local police under their authority.

Human rights activist Amos Bisimwa expressed concerns about the current state of law enforcement in Bukavu, stating, “We were told that a police force had been sent for ideological training… We want to see this police force return to Bukavu so that it can continue to maintain public order and, above all, intervene in cases of mob justice.” His organization, the Observatory of Parliamentary and Governmental Actions in the DRC, reported that 11 individuals had been killed in acts of vigilante justice due to assumed crimes such as theft and witchcraft.

The situation is exacerbated by graphic incidents where victims’ charred remains are left in public view, inciting further unrest. Moke Mwayuma lamented her brother’s death, claiming he was innocent of the theft accusation. “He is not a thief. What is his crime? We don’t know,” she stated in reference to her brother, who was reported to have been burnt alive.

Dunia Masumbuko Bwenge, the M23-appointed vice governor of South Kivu, indicated that the vigilante actions stem from a populace feeling threatened by criminal acts, including violence and theft. The advancement of M23 into Bukavu on February 16 marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, which is deeply rooted in the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the continuing fight for the nation’s vast mineral wealth. Rwanda has denied allegations of supporting M23, asserting it is instead protecting itself from threats posed by Hutu militias allied with the Congolese military.

The recent surge of mob violence in Bukavu highlights the dire consequences of the Congolese army’s withdrawal and the resulting power vacuum. With local police ineffective and vigilante justice on the rise, the unrest raises critical concerns regarding public safety and governance in the region. The ongoing conflict remains deeply intertwined with historical grievances and resource struggles, underscoring the complexities of the situation as M23 reinforces its hold over the area.

Original Source: www.usnews.com