The final moments of Freddy Mukuza were observed by a friend, who stood powerless 50 meters (160 feet) away. When word spread that Freddy had been shot – allegedly by M23 rebels – the friend, known as Justin, and others rushed to the scene in Goma, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. “Upon arrival, we found Freddy still breathing, and attempted to remove him from the area, but the M23 denied us permission,” recounts Justin. “When we persisted, they fired warning shots into the ground, indicating that crossing the perimeter would result in potential harm.” Consequently, they were forced to keep their distance as Freddy, aged 31, drew his final breath. It wasn’t until then that the M23 permitted them to approach and retrieve his body.
Just before the tragedy unfolded, three trucks carrying rebel fighters had descended upon Freddy’s neighborhood, Kasika. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, nearly a month after the rebel faction had seized control of Goma through a swift advance in the region. In the space of an hour or so, between 17 and 22 individuals, predominantly young men, lost their lives, as per our reliable sources. To safeguard their identities, detailed testimonies were gathered from residents who wished to remain anonymous.
Inquiries to the M23 regarding the allegations of a mass killing in the neighborhood went unanswered. Authorities in Kasika have not disclosed an official death toll, and the likelihood of an impartial criminal investigation into what locals describe as a massacre appears slim. Nevertheless, residents are adamant that the M23 is the sole armed group with the liberty to act with impunity and lethally in broad daylight in Goma.
Having established dominance over the city at the close of January, the rebels wielded absolute power during our 18-day stay on the terrain. Past accusations have linked them to heinous acts committed in different regions. These heavily armed rebels operate with support from neighboring Rwanda, as noted by the UN and the US. Rwanda refutes these claims, though it no longer conceals the presence of its troops in DR Congo, citing self-defense as the motive.
The targeting of Kasika by the M23 is believed to be linked to the former Congolese army base in the vicinity. Although the Katindo camp has shut down, remnants of soldiers and their families linger in the district. “Some soldiers were not able to flee,” a local resident recounts. “A few discarded their weapons and chose to remain in the neighborhood.” Freddy Mukuza, however, was an ordinary civilian – a married father confronted with financial struggles. To make ends meet during hard times, he transported passengers on his motorcycle. Additionally, he was an activist and lyricist who vocalized societal issues through his music, shedding light on the challenges faced by his compatriots in a nation abundant in resources yet plagued by poverty.
Helping him cover the roof with a tarpaulin, his sister-in-law was also present, assisting in preparing the house for Freddy’s family. When gunshots rang out, they quickly rushed inside and attempted to shut the door, but were spotted by the M23 rebels. According to Freddy’s friend Justin, the rebels tragically killed Freddy’s two in-laws. Since then, Justin has become housebound, refraining from leaving even to work. His family now relies on vegetables and fruits for sustenance, with tea being an unaffordable luxury. Justin has made the difficult decision to keep his children from attending school out of fear that they may be forcibly recruited by the M23 if they leave the safety of their home.
“We prioritize their safety above all else,” he explains. Justin now lives in constant fear within the confines of his home, always dreading the possibility of the rebels returning to target young men in the area. He mentions that the mere sight of the rebels’ pick-up trucks causes panic among the locals, leading them to flee. Justin laments the loss of community spirit, noting that nowadays, it is rare to see young people congregating or neighbors openly criticizing the authorities as they once did before the rebel incursion.
“Previously, there were governance issues, but we had freedom. We could speak out against corruption and mismanagement. We had access to justice. Now, under this oppressive regime, we live in fear and silence,” Justin reflects. He shares his story in the hopes of preserving Freddy Mukuza’s memory and shedding light on the harsh realities of life under the M23 rule.
Following the tragic events, Kasika has been enveloped in fear, with local journalists hesitating to report on the incident. However, a shaky video surfaced on social media the day after, showing what seems to be some of the victims: ten bodies strewn in an unfinished building, devoid of any military attire or weapons. In the background, cries and screams can be heard as a woman mourns the loss of the young lives, expressing fear of further attacks by the M23.
The shocking video, although gruesome, managed to draw attention to the atrocities in Kasika, a testament to the brutal conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sources have verified the authenticity of the footage, confirming the location as Kasika and identifying individuals from the neighborhood shown in the video. Reports indicate that the youngest victim was a boy aged 13-14, coerced by the rebels to leave his home or face dire consequences.
Among the casualties was a young woman who sold milk on the bustling streets, as well as a street vendor in his twenties who sold mobile phone airtime and homemade doughnuts. Despite pleading his innocence, the vendor was chased by the rebels, who mistook him for a soldier and fatally shot him. John, a witness to the chaos, recounts the harrowing events as people scrambled to escape the rebel onslaught, highlighting the indiscriminate violence and tragic
Accompanied by my friend, I hurried alongside them. As we reached the main road, chaos erupted. Gunshots rang out, and the sound of gunfire followed me as I witnessed someone fall to the ground. It was the doughnut vendor.
Despite his advanced age, he was still attending secondary school, in his final year. He was a diligent student who had started his education late due to financial constraints within his family.
John recounts how the rebels showed no regard for human life. They shot indiscriminately, without questioning, targeting anyone in their path or those attempting to flee in different directions.
When the M23 group seized control of Goma, they declared the absence of prisons. This signaled a grim reality, as anyone suspected of being a government soldier, a criminal, or even making a minor error would face immediate execution.
In the aftermath, few have dared to speak out for fear of becoming targets themselves. Grieving families have resorted to swift and discreet burials, refraining from traditional mourning ceremonies.
Residents, like Deborah, share their harrowing experiences. The rebels imposed strict control, preventing any form of mourning or resistance. What was anticipated as a promise of peace turned into a campaign of extermination, with innocent civilians being targeted and eliminated.
Stories emerge of individuals trying to evade the violence, only to face tragic outcomes. The rebels showed no mercy, executing civilians under the most trivial suspicions.
As the turmoil unfolds, the community in Kasika grapples with the dual threat of violence and forced recruitment. Men are confined to their homes by evening, as the risk of abduction looms ominously.
While grief remains suppressed in Kasika, the M23 forces advance through eastern DR Congo, extending their grip on territories. Their ambitions stretch to the capital, Kinshasa, as they claim to champion the rights of minority Tutsis against a failing state.
However, human rights organizations present a stark contrast, accusing the M23 of severe atrocities since their inception. Reports detail a pattern of brutal attacks on civilians, including shelling, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings.
In a recent interview with BBC, rebel leader Corneille Nangaa, who heads the Congo River Alliance coalition, including the M23, denied awareness of these reports. He evaded responsibility, claiming ignorance of the detailed allegations against his group.
In the midst of swirling allegations, his demeanor remained unruffled. When pressed about why he had not perused the damning reports, he coolly responded, “Just hand me one, and I’ll give it a thorough read.” Sporting a striking juxtaposition of combat fatigues and sharp suits, Nangaa, the former head of the DR Congo’s electoral commission, cuts a figure that oscillates between the rugged and the refined.
Portrayed as the amiable and weaponless face of the rebels, Nangaa finds himself in the crosshairs as the Congolese government dangles a tantalizing $5 million reward for any information that leads to his capture. Yet, the rebels’ reign of terror is not a solitary tale of savagery. The shadow of brutality looms large over the Congolese army and myriad other armed factions entrenched in the tumultuous eastern DR Congo.
However, amidst this dark landscape, it is the M23 rebels who have ascended to the position of de facto authority in certain regions of the east, holding millions of Congolese residents at their precarious mercy. In the tense atmosphere of Kasika, panic grips the community as reports surface of M23 insurgents forcibly removing children from their classrooms.
A resident, torn between duty and fear, is beckoned by his distressed wife to swiftly retrieve their eight-year-old son from school. Racing against time, he manages to bring his child to safety, but a foreboding sense of uncertainty hangs heavy in the air. “We are all scarred by trauma. They promised liberation, yet it feels like we are now captives in our own land,” he laments.
The unfolding narrative paints a stark picture of a populace caught in the turbulent grip of conflict, where promises of emancipation have morphed into a sinister form of subjugation. As the specter of fear looms large, the resilience of the Congolese people is tested in the crucible of uncertainty and unrest.
This report is enriched by the firsthand accounts of those grappling with the harrowing realities of life under the shadow of the M23 rebels. Their voices, laden with apprehension and resolve, serve as poignant reminders of the indomitable spirit that refuses to be extinguished even in the face of adversity.
As the sun sets on another day of uncertainty in the heart of the DR Congo, the echoes of anguish and resilience reverberate through the war-torn landscape. In the midst of chaos and conflict, the human spirit endures, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness that threatens to engulf the region.
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