Misplaced Pages

#793206

110-605: Walikale Territory is a territory located within the Congolese province of North Kivu , in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo . The headquarters are in the town of Walikale . The locality is situated between Bukavu and Lubutu ( Maniema Province) on DR Congo National Road No. 3 in the valley of the river Lowa, 135 km to the west of Goma . Walikale is rich in cassiterite , which

220-480: A state post under Rutshuru Territory 's jurisdiction, experiencing a rapid demographic upsurge with approximately 1,000 inhabitants by 1948. The inception of urbanization in Belgian Congo was formalized with the promulgation of a decree on 21 February 1949, which instituted entities responsible for evaluating and issuing building permits, overseeing demolitions, modifying land plots, and making changes to

330-534: A civil status office. Around 1930, the Goma precinct accommodated camps for laborers of the Eastern Railway (CFE), initially sited along Lake Kivu's eastern shores. By the mid-20th century, Goma had become an essential hub, serving as the endpoint of the vici-Goma network and a port for the transshipment of agricultural commodities and building materials to and from Bukavu . In 1945, Goma burgeoned into

440-465: A deliberate tool of war to terrorize communities, assert control, and break down social cohesion. Survivors often face physical injuries , sexually transmitted infections , psychological trauma , and social stigma . A study from 2007 revealed that around 1.69–1.80 million women aged 15–29 in the DRC reported experiencing sexual assault at some point in their lives, with North Kivu recording 223,262 cases,

550-473: A desire to return to Rwanda. Determining the exact number of refugees killed by AFDL/RPA soldiers in attacks along the Goma to Rutshuru road was challenging. However, local NGOs involved in burial operations provided insights into the scale of the atrocities. The United Nations Mapping Report team documented numerous alleged incidents, including mass burials and killings in and around refugee camps between November 1996 and April 1997. The violence extended beyond

660-469: A hospital or social infrastructures. Even though in 2008 the FDLR represented an obstacle to food security in the sense that, through their taxing system and their lack of integration within the local population, the population was deprived from an important part of their harvest, the stability they imposed to the region ensured a certain regularity of food production and trade. In addition, the vulnerability of

770-768: A militia known as the Democratic Force for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), morphed into battlegrounds as Rwandan government forces and the RCD clashed with them to assert dominion. On 2 August 1998, General Sylvain Buki announced via Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise (RTNC) in Goma that a rebellion had erupted within the Congolese Armed Forces (FAC). The 10th Brigade of the FAC mutinied, leading to

880-419: A minimum of six hours). The Mayi-Mayi Simba group was initially created in 1964 during the ‘Lumumbist rebellion’. It used to share communitarians ideals and motivations, but its motivations today are exclusively related to pillage and looting. They are located in the north of Walikale territory, on the western axis near the borders with Lubutu and Maniema (region of Oninga), but their activities have decreased in

990-581: A movement of protest orchestrated by the FDLR, which once again was reflected as a resumption of attacks on the population and the intensification of fighting with the FARDC. According to a member of a local NGO, this resumption could also be related to the fact that the opposition was constituted by members supporting the FDLR and the Mayi-Mayi. 01°25′S 28°02′E  /  1.417°S 28.033°E  / -1.417; 28.033 Territories of

1100-705: A pervasive culture of impunity. Between 17–30 April 2023, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams treated 674 victims of sexual violence in camps like Bulengo, Lushagala, and Rusayo, with 360 cases reported solely from the latter, a recently established and densely inhabited settlement situated to the west of Goma. The vast majority of these victims were attacked while venturing outside the displaced sites in search of basic necessities like firewood and sustenance . The M23's offensive in early February 2024 around Sake , roughly twenty kilometers from Goma, exposed civilians to heavy fighting and forced more displacement towards Goma and previously settled sites or with host families on

1210-528: A separate study covering January 2019 to December 2020, Karisimbi municipality in Goma reported 551 cases of sexual violence, while the Goma municipality recorded 149 cases. The Majengo neighborhood in Karisimbi reported the highest frequency, with 129 cases. Among the survivors, women aged 20–29 represented 28.6%, with only 15.7% reporting incidents occurring within their homes, and 60.7% of incidents involved

SECTION 10

#1732780050794

1320-443: A significant proportion of the population into urban settlements. These armed groups often inflict robbery and violence on the local people, as well as engage in hunting and poaching of nominally protected species. The territory is composed of various terrestrial and fresh water eco-regions. There are transition forests in the northeast and wet tropical forests and farmed land in the southeast and from Gilbertiodendron and Uapaca to

1430-457: A sovereign entity within the tripartite division of the Kivu region into provinces: North Kivu , South Kivu , and Maniema . A decree issued on 14 September 1988, outlined critical urban development guidelines, such as construction alignments, the delineation of housing plans and communication routes, and the segregation of sustainable residential districts from native-dominated huts. This marked

1540-404: A stream of lava 200 metres (219 yd) to one kilometre (1,100 yards) wide and up to two metres (6½ ft) deep through the center of the city as far as the lake shore. Agencies monitoring the volcano were able to give a warning and most of the population of Goma evacuated to Gisenyi. The lava destroyed 40% of the city (more than 4,500 houses and buildings). There were some fatalities caused by

1650-548: A surge in the IDP crisis amidst the First and Second Congo Wars, with hundreds of thousands fleeing escalating rural violence and relocating to Goma and its environs. By December 2006, estimates suggested at least 80,000 IDPs resided within and around the city, a figure that escalated to roughly 640,000 by September 2007 in camps dispersed across North Kivu. Another spike in displacement transpired between 2012 and 2013, correlating with

1760-475: A territory are: sectors (fr. secteurs , sing. secteur ), chiefdoms (fr. chefferies , sing. chefferie ) and communes. A territory has at least one commune that is the administrative center and also one or more collectivities (a sector or chiefdom). Unlike its counterpart, the city, or its divisions, the territory is not a juridical person . However, the actions of its authorities are under administrative control and subject to judicial appeal. In 2018 73% of

1870-618: Is a Kikongo word meaning "strength of the panther" and ma means "to give". Goma is the largest and capital city of the North Kivu Province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo . To Goma's north lies Nyiragongo Territory , the Republic of Rwanda to the east, Lake Kivu to the south, and Masisi Territory to the west. Goma is strategically located on the Goma plain, which is composed of volcanic lavas and gradual slopes gently towards Lake Kivu . The plain

1980-569: Is a security crisis but also tends to become a food crisis. Years of recurrent conflicts in Walikale has increased the vulnerability of the population and has disrupted the basic functioning of the economy and the society; without being considered as a humanitarian emergency yet, the situation in Walikale is too unstable and threatens the life of too many people to be left out of food security programs planning. The context of protracted crisis worsened food insecurity but did not totally originate it; it

2090-556: Is also a constituency of the National Assembly as well as of the Provincial Assembly of its province. Each territory is led by a territory administrator (fr. administrateur de territoire ) assisted by two assistant territory administrators (fr. administrateurs de territoire assistants ). They are appointed by the central government and put under the direction of the provincial governor. The divisions of

2200-548: Is also bordered by the Virunga Mountains to the west, which comprises prominent peaks such as Nyamuragira , Mount Nyiragongo , Mount Mikeno , Mount Bisoke , Mount Gahinga , Mount Karisimbi and Mount Sabyinyo . Elevations in the northern part of the plain range from 1,640 to 2,000 m (5,380 to 6,560 ft), with the volcanic fields of Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo exhibiting continuous carbon dioxide degassing . Nyiragongo, in particular, has been active since

2310-424: Is clear of lava. In March 2004, emissions from Nyiragongo volcano polluted the surrounding areas of North Kivu, including Rusayo, Bishusha, Birambizo, Tongo, Kitshanga , and Sake with water vapor ( H 2 O ) laden with fluorine and carbon dioxide ( CO 2 ). On 22 May 2021, Mount Nyiragongo erupted with lava flows closing a road and reaching the municipal airport . The Buhene neighborhood, located on

SECTION 20

#1732780050794

2420-435: Is essential not to limit the analysis to insecurity itself, but also to consider the root causes of food insecurity, which can vary from one region to another. Unlike some other conflicts, where armed groups' activities and insecurity directly provokes food insecurity, in the case of Walikale it appears that structural causes, historical causes of food insecurity and insecurity itself are intrinsically linked. Walikale Territory

2530-500: Is from Kisangani , the capital of the Orientale Province. It is the longest way of the three (the distance between Goma and Walikale Centre via Kisangani is more or less 1700 km) but it is the safest. From Goma, it is possible to take planes to Kisangani. The itinerary from Goma to Walikale via Kisangani is the best to transport material, as the roads are good enough for trucks. It implies crossing North Kivu, following

2640-599: Is home to several notable landmarks, including Goma International Airport , the UNESCO World Heritage Site Virunga National Park , the private Christian co-educational school Adventist University of Goma , the University of Goma , and is also surrounded by the active Virunga volcanic range , which includes volcanoes Nyamulagira , Nyiragongo , Mikeno , Visoke , Gahinga , Karisimbi , and Sabinyo . Goma also hosts

2750-506: Is refined elsewhere into tin . As of 2008, Walikale's cassiterite resources were largely controlled by warlords empowered by the ongoing Kivu conflict . Specifically, the renegade FARDC 85th Brigade, under Colonel Samy Matumo , controlled the mine at Bisie up to early 2009, when it was replaced by "accelerated integration" FARDC elements. The FDLR is continuing its activities in the territory, with May 2009 attacks in Busurungi, in

2860-463: Is represented in the National Assembly by two deputies: After the Congolese wars, Walikale territory had known a period of relative calm: surely, armed groups' activities had not ceased, "food lootings" were still frequent, and armed groups benefited from the central state’s ignorance of the region to continue their mining exploitation activities and to extend their local power. However, almost no conflicts were going on between armed groups, and neither

2970-414: Is the largest territory in the province of Nord-Kivu , with 39.46% of its surface. The territory is bordered by Lubero Territory on the north, Rutshuru Territory and Masisi Territory on the east, Tshopo Province and Maniema Province on the west, and South Kivu on the south. Many armed groupings, often former Interahamwe or the militias of Laurent Nkunda , control the forests and have forced

3080-524: The 1994 genocide in Rwanda . During the first Congo war in 1996, the Rwandan army started to dismantle the refugee camp that had been created to host the refugees of 1994, in search of ex-FAR (Forces Armées Rwandaises). The ALIR ( Armée de Libération du Rwanda ), former FDLR, was, therefore, created by these Hutu rebels in order to dismiss the new Rwandan Government and to resettle a Hutu government. The use of

3190-499: The 2018–2020 Kivu Ebola epidemic in the region was found in mid-July 2019 to have travelled to Goma. In August 2019, Rwandan Health Minister Diane Gashumba announced that students in Rwanda would cease attending school in Goma due to the Ebola outbreak, which has claimed the lives of over 1,800 people within the past year. The Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on 10 March 2020. Following this,

3300-705: The Contingent Zaïrois pour la sécurité des camps (CZSC), and Red Cross personnel. During the First Congo War , from mid-October 1996, Rwandan infiltrations intensified, accompanied by sporadic attacks on refugee camps along the Goma to Rutshuru road by the newly formed Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL), a rebel movement led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila , and Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) led by Paul Kagame , who aimed to overthrow Mobutu Sese Seko 's regime, accusing him of excluding Tutsis from governance and failing to stop

3410-547: The Indian Ocean . In 1894, the explorer Gustav Adolf von Götzen , following the footsteps of an earlier missionary, was traveling to Rwanda from the eastern coast of Africa and passed through the village, which he recorded as Goma. In 1906, officers of the Congo Free State established Goma post opposite Gisenyi as a military outpost to oversee maritime activities on Lake Kivu , which later transformed into

Walikale Territory - Misplaced Pages Continue

3520-638: The génocidaires . However, the United Nations Security Council noted that both the RPA and AFDL pillaged Zaire's minerals for nearly two and a half decades and conducted massacres throughout the conflict. The Kibumba camp, situated twenty-five kilometers north of Goma, was the first to fall under assault. On the night of 25–26 October 1996, AFDL and RPA soldiers bombarded the Kibumba camp, resulting in casualties among Hutu refugees and

3630-464: The peace process and secure a ceasefire in the region. On 12 February, South Africa announced it would send 2,900 troops as part of its contribution to the SADC force deployed to tackle armed groups in the eastern DRC. On 15 February, two South African soldiers were killed and three wounded by a mortar bomb launched by M23 rebels. The road to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges, including

3740-463: The urban landscape . Goma's prominence as a city grew steadily, earning it the status of an extra-customary center in 1945, with a population estimated at 8,600. In 1951, Goma was elevated to the territorial and capital level of North Kivu, reflecting its economic importance and the influx of settlers during the late 1940s and early 1950s. This period also witnessed movements advocating for administrative separation between Goma and Rutshuru, leading to

3850-463: The 2022 census. In 1984, its population was estimated at 80,000. The city is administratively divided into two urban municipalities: Goma and Karisimbi , which are further subdivided into 18 quarters , colloquially recognized as " neighborhoods " in the English lexicon. Goma's administrative division was established through the enactment of Ordinance Law No. 48-127 of 22 May 1989, which delineated

3960-648: The Democratic Republic of the Congo The territories of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are administrative divisions of provinces . Territories are further divided into sectors , chiefdoms , and communes . They are led by an administrator and, for the most part, take the name of the town that is their administrative center. The 25 provinces of DR Congo are divided into 145 territories (fr. territoires , sing. territoire ) and 33 cities (fr. villes , sing. ville ). Each provincial division

4070-633: The FARDC and Nkunda's forces. Fighting between Nkunda's forces and the Mai-Mai community-based militia, Congolese Patriotic Resistance (PARECO), which claimed to protect its community from Nkunda's forces, led to the deaths of 5 people in Bitonga in southern Masisi Territory. Nine deceased people were subsequently uncovered in three separate mass graves within Rubare, approximately 12 km from Rutshuru , north of Goma. Two other bodies were discovered in

4180-484: The FARDC or by formers CNDPs. Their location – on the western axis directed toward Kisangani, on the North of the cities of Mubi and Ndjingala, next to the famous mining area of Bisié – is representative of their concrete motivation, which is mining exploitation. The territory is divided into 2 collectivities, Bakano (4238 km) and Wanianga (19,237 km), and comprises 15 "groupements" totalling 90 localities. Walikale

4290-546: The FDLR after the Umoja Wetu operation, mostly members of the CNDP and various Mayi-Mayi groups. The FDLR therefore represented at that moment, the most powerful opposition to the FARDC and by extension, to the central government, and therefore reassembled all military groups or rebels opposed for various reasons to the Congolese government. The consequences on the population of Umoja Wetu were dreadful: civilians became tools of

4400-405: The FDLR and the FARDC. (GRIP, 2011) Therefore, this military operation completely destabilized the relative organization of food production and trade in Walikale. Instead of regular taxation, armed groups began to steal directly from the populations and to commit exactions in villages and on the fields. Food and rapes became weapons of the FDLR and other armed groups in Walikale, weapons that led to

4510-425: The FDLR are mainly isolated forests and mining sites, exploited illegally and manually, with their own governance system, out of which we can identify: Cassiterite, coltan, and gold are being extracted from these mines and brought illegally to Goma through Masisi territory. The only way to reach these sites is by plane from Goma to Walikale Centre, followed by a long trek into the forest by motor bike and on foot (of

Walikale Territory - Misplaced Pages Continue

4620-554: The Mayi-Mayi and ALiR intensified ambushes and pillaging against RCD/RPA soldiers and civilian populations. Consequently, RCD/RPA control was limited to certain urban areas. In response, they increased search operations in various regions. The Second Congo War was unprecedented in Africa for the loss of civilian life in massacres and atrocities. By 2003, the Rwandan Banyamulenge -supported insurgent factions wearied of

4730-720: The Mugunga camp through the Virunga National Park . However, AFDL and RPA troops had blocked the road to Goma, complicating the refugees' escape routes. On 31 October 1996, AFDL and RPA soldiers allegedly massacred hundreds of Hutu refugees who remained in the Kahindo and Katale camps. Roberto Garretón , the Special Rapporteur on the violation of human rights in Zaire, estimated the casualties and highlighted

4840-632: The National of International court of justice. Location in Walikale: approximate zones of FDLR’s actions. The FDLR controls the territory of Walikale on wide superficies. Their presence has been detected on a wide axis going from the east of Oninga (border with Lubutu) to Walowa Yungu (Mpito/ Ntoto area) as well as on the western part of the southern axis going from the Kahrizi-Biega Park. They have different basis: The areas controlled by

4950-565: The Sake- Bweremana axis towards the province from South Kivu in the Kalehe Territory . This influx of displaced people strains already limited resources and infrastructure, making it increasingly challenging to meet the needs of affected communities. Some regional initiatives have addressed the crisis, with the deployment of Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces and summits between heads of state to relaunch

5060-642: The acronym FOCA (Forces combattantes Abacunguzi) refers to a kinyarwanda word meaning ‘saviors’ or ‘liberator’. However, their presence in the DRC was supposed to be temporary, in order to allow them time and protection (the wideness of the territory and its forests offers much more possibility to hide than Rwanda) to build up an army and to organize their potential coup d'État. The FDLR FOCA is, today, divided in three main brigades commanded by ‘Colonel’ Mutima, ‘Colonel’ Sadiki and ‘Colonel’ Omega. Their number has been evaluated between 3000 and 4500 rebels (Mercier 2009) In order to develop their influence and control over

5170-530: The administrative support post of Kisharo's office, around 20 kilometers from Kiwanja, along the route to Nyamilima and Shasha, within Rutshuru Territory. On 27 October 2008, the Battle of Goma broke out in the city between the Congolese army, supported by MONUSCO, and Nkunda's CNDP rebels; 200,000 refugees fled the town. On 3 November 2012 there was a clash between Congolese and Rwandan troops on

5280-666: The annual Amani Festival , the Free University of the Great Lakes Countries , which supports local development initiatives, as well as the regional cultural center and art school, Foyer Culturel de Goma . The recent history of Goma has been dominated by the volcano and the Rwandan genocide of 1994, which in turn fuelled the First and Second Congo Wars . The aftermath of these events was still having effects on

5390-450: The area bordering South Kivu . Busurungi has around 7,000 inhabitants, spread between the villages of Bunyamisimbwa, Busurungi, Kahunju, Kamaito, Kamanyola , Kasebunga, Katokoro, Kitchanga , Kifuruka, Bukumbirwa , Kilambo , Kitemera, Moka, Ndaboye, Nyamimba, and Tuonane. The ‘ Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda ’ (FDLR) was initially a political-military movement that was created in 2000 by Hutu rebels that had participated in

5500-541: The axis Goma – Butembo , Butembo – Komanda, Komanda – Nia Nia, Nia Nia – Bafwasende and finally Bafwasende – Kisangani. Then from Kisangani to Walikale, until Lubutu, the road follows the N3, and then secondary roads link Lubutu to Walikale Centre. The overall trip can take up to one week. In 2011, 55% of the population of Walikale has been affected by the consequences on the ongoing crisis in North-Kivu. This ongoing crisis

5610-489: The border into Rwanda, while another 25,000 went northwest towards Sake . The lava stopped flowing around 3 a.m. on 30 May 2021, and the Congolese government ordered the city's evacuation plan to be set in motion. On the same day, residents returned to Goma to check on their homes. However, the United Nations Children's Fund reported that more than 170 children were still missing. The official report on

SECTION 50

#1732780050794

5720-588: The border just north of Goma. Goma was later seized by the M23 Movement on 20 November 2012. During the M23's brief rule, the city endured ten days of chaos, marked by looting and executions, bringing economic activities to a standstill and forcing residents into seclusion. On 22 February 2021, the Italian ambassador , Luca Attanasio , was killed in an apparent kidnapping attempt near Virunga National Park . He

5830-523: The border to Goma, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis , as there was an acute lack of shelter, food and water. However, the Zairean government took it upon itself to garner attention for the situation. Shortly after the arrival of nearly one million refugees , a deadly cholera outbreak swept through the Hutu refugee camps near Goma, claiming thousands of lives. RPF-aligned forces, which had fought in

5940-564: The brutality inflicted on the refugees. In the aftermath of AFDL/RPA offensives in North Kivu, some refugees opted to return to Rwanda, though their numbers remained small. UNHCR reported approximately 900 Hutu refugees returning to Rwanda between 26 October and 31 October 1996. The reluctance of many refugees to return stemmed from both physical and psychological pressures, including fear of reprisals from AFDL/RPA soldiers. There were reports of AFDL/RPA soldiers killing refugees who expressed

6050-692: The city and its surroundings in 2010. The city was captured by rebels of the March 23 Movement during the M23 rebellion in late 2012, but it has since been retaken by government forces. The word Goma is possibly related to the ngoma drum , which is generally associated with ritual dances and used by the Venda people in South Africa and Zimbabwe , and also in Eastern Africa . In western Congo, ngo

6160-476: The city encountering a pronounced inflation rate of 16.4% in 2020, juxtaposed with 4.6% in the preceding year. This inflationary pressure undermined household incomes and diminished overall quality of life. However, by July 2024, the DRC achieved a significant milestone, reporting no new COVID-19 cases. Due to the Great Rift Valley being pulled apart, the area experiences frequent earthquakes and

6270-417: The city's communes (municipalities) and quartiers (quarters). The city is divided into two communes, each of which is further segmented into quartiers . (2016) In response to concerns related to population density, administrative adjustments were made that resulted in the creation of new quartiers . For instance, Katoyi quartier was divided into Kasika and Katoyi quartiers , while Mabanga quartier

6380-571: The conflict, and discord surfaced between them and Rwanda. In 2002 and 2003, a tenuous negotiated peace ensued among the myriad factions embroiled in the conflict. Since the conclusion of the Second Congo War, Goma has been plagued by conflict despite the peace agreements of 2002. In 2006, it became a focal point for the FARDC 's 81st and 83rd Brigades, who remained faithful to Congolese Tutsi military defector Laurent Nkunda , who accused

6490-477: The conflict, crossed the border to Zaire and in acts of revenge also claimed several lives. As early as mid-1996, infiltrated units from Rwanda began targeting Hutu refugee camps along the Rutshuru road, even before formal hostilities began. On the evening of 27 June 1996, an infiltrated group allegedly carried out an attack on the Kibumba refugee camp, resulting in casualties among Hutu refugees, soldiers from

6600-497: The country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Within a year of assuming power, Laurent-Désiré Kabila found himself in conflict with his former allies, and in 1998, the Rwandan government threw its support behind a Goma-based rebel movement known as the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD), occasionally denoted as RCD-Goma . The Goma refugee encampments, where Hutu refugees and Interahamwe militants had forged

6710-519: The country to Zaire and many Tutsis and Hutus were internally displaced within Rwanda. Although Hutu extremists were responsible for the mass killing of Tutsis, scholars like Judi Rever and Filip Reyntjens argue that the main perpetrators of the slaughter were the Tutsi-dominated RPF, led by Paul Kagame . According to Judi Rever, Kagame personally commanded massacres at places like Byumba soccer stadium in northern Rwanda and ordered

SECTION 60

#1732780050794

6820-524: The current situation of food instability and humanitarian upcoming crisis. The November 2011 election was also a factor in explaining the resumption of armed groups’ activities, and in particular of FDLR activities. In fact, the accumulations of the alliance between Kabila and Kagame and of the various military operations led to the development of a real hatred on behalf of the FDLR against the government of Kabila; his reelection in November therefore provoked

6930-588: The death of a Zairian soldier. They also allegedly killed several Hutu refugees using bladed weapons . Following confrontations with FAZ soldiers and ex-FAR/Interahamwe units from the Katale camp, who offered reinforcement, AFDL and RPA forces seized control of the FAZ military camp at Rumangabo . By 30 October, refugees from Katale and Kahindo camps began to depart, with some heading towards Masisi via Tongo groupement of Bwito Chiefdom , while others attempted to reach

7040-420: The destruction of the camp's hospital. Subsequently, approximately 194,000 refugees fled Kibumba towards the Mugunga camp. The Katale camp also faced attacks on the same night, but Forces Armées Zaïroises (FAZ)/CZSC soldiers and ex-FAR/ Interahamwe units repelled the assailants initially. However, on 26 October 1996, AFDL and RPA forces attacked the Katale camp, resulting in numerous Hutu refugee casualties and

7150-577: The dismantling of refugee camps; Hutu survivors faced persecution while attempting to flee. In November 1996, AFDL/RPA soldiers reportedly targeted Hutu survivors from Kahindo and Katale camps, executing adult males. These survivors, along with others who resettled in makeshift camps, were subjected to further attacks in the Virunga National Park, resulting in additional casualties. The atrocities persisted for several months, with killings reported well into 1997. Witness testimonies highlighted

7260-495: The early 1900s, featuring an active lava lake and periodic eruptions, including notable events in 1977, 2002, and 2021. The predominant terrain of Goma is volcanic , with only a small portion consisting of slightly sandy soil. The surface is covered with basalt flows, creating a skeletal soil profile. Hills such as Mount Goma, Mount Ndosho, Mount Mugunga, and Mount Busara punctuate the landscape, although some areas are relatively flat. Mount Goma, an extinct volcano, lies at

7370-520: The eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjacent regions. The displacement crisis commenced in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide , during which approximately 1.2 million refugees, predominantly Hutus, entered eastern Congo, with between 500,000 and 850,000 people arriving in Goma over a span of five days in mid-July 1994. This mass migration was one of the largest cross-border movements in recent history, with many refugees establishing makeshift camps around Goma. The late 1990s witnessed

7480-421: The edge of Goma, was engulfed in flames , and more than 500 homes were covered in cooling lava . Parts of Virunga Energies's electricity facilities, which supplied electricity to nearly 15,000 homes in the city, were destroyed. Thousands of people fled to nearby regions, with some boarding boats on Lake Kivu , which lies on the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Around 5,000 people crossed

7590-399: The electorate were in territories. The 145 territories are listed below, in alphabetical order, along with the provinces after and before the 2015 reorganization : Goma Goma is administratively divided into two urban municipalities: Goma and Karisimbi , which are further subdivided into 18 quarters , colloquially recognized as " neighborhoods " in the English lexicon. The city

7700-1087: The emergence of M23. During this period, more than 500,000 people sought refuge in Goma. From 2020 to 2022, intensifying conflicts in North Kivu led to the displacement of approximately 1.5 million people throughout the province, with a significant contingent finding asylum in Goma. As of 13 February 2024, Goma hosts an estimated 1.7 million IDPs due to renewed conflicts between the Congolese military and various insurgent groups, including M23, with over 700,000 new arrivals recorded in late 2022 and early 2023 alone. The influx of IDPs in Goma has led to recurring health crises, primarily due to overcrowded camps, inadequate sanitation, and limited medical resources. The mass arrival of Rwandan refugees post-genocide catalyzed widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases and acute malnutrition among displaced populations. The initial influx of refugees in July 1994 saw an immediate health emergency, as overcrowded camps lacked clean water , sanitation , and hygiene facilities. The first case of cholera

7810-548: The escalating conflict, citing rising insecurity, ethnic discord, the swelling numbers of internally displaced persons, and an increase in human rights abuses in North Kivu. Toward the end of June, Rwandan combatants launched a deadly assault on Lake Kivu, resulting in the deaths of four people, including three fishermen and a Congolese naval officer. The attackers also looted valuable fishing equipment and an outboard motor . Initial negotiations with Rwandan officials regarding cross-border security on Lake Kivu ultimately facilitated

7920-529: The establishment of deliberative and executive bodies in Kirotshe and later in Sake . The urban sprawl of Goma adhered to the tenets of a classic colonial planning paradigm with the demarcation of separate neighborhoods for Europeans ( cité Européenne ) and indigenous Congolese ( cité indigene ). The latter was limited to contemporary Birere, a densely populated neighborhood abutting the Rwandan border. Meanwhile,

8030-410: The formation of new volcanoes . Over time, volcanic eruptions have directly impacted Goma, with significant lava flows destroying nearby villages, neighborhoods, and roads north of the city. The 1923 and 1997 eruptions caused significant damage and loss of life, with lava flows encroaching upon Lake Kivu 's shores and destroying sections of the city. In January 2002, Nyiragongo erupted, sending

8140-1121: The government of neglecting to assimilate his military faction into the national army and failing to safeguard their interests. Numerous heinous crimes were committed by Nkunda during his reign of terror. In 2002, he sanctioned the massacre of over 150 people in Kisangani . In Bukavu in 2004, his insurgent affiliates, in conjunction with Colonel Jules Mutebutsi , executed widespread atrocities, including sexual violence and arbitrary detentions, predominantly targeting young girls. Human Rights Watch clamored for Nkunda's arrest in February 2006, but it wasn't until June of that year that his military faction made significant territorial gains, capturing localities like Bunagana , located 80 km from Goma. Despite intermittent losses and counteroffensives by FARDC's 9th Integrated Brigade, Nkunda's forces maintained control over certain areas like Bunagana and Runyoni. By November 2006, reports cited three fatalities and 41 injuries, among them civilians, and by December,

8250-551: The governmental army nor was the MONUC was interfering with their activities. In addition, some armed groups such as the FDLR had even started to integrate into the social and economic organization of Walikale; as shown in a report by the Pole Institute dating from 2008, the FDLR had begun to constitute "a state within a state" (Rudahigwa, 2008): customary chiefs admitted at the time that an important part of Walikale territory

8360-475: The grim reality faced by refugees, with bodies discovered daily in former camp sites. On 11 April 1997, AFDL/RPA soldiers allegedly massacred hundreds of refugees near Kibumba village. These refugees, intercepted while attempting to return to Rwanda, were detained and subsequently killed by AFDL/RPA forces. By the end of 1997, AFDL rebels advanced to Kinshasa , driving out Mobutu and leading to Laurent-Désiré Kabila proclaiming himself president on 17 May, renaming

8470-476: The highest rate nationally. Further research in 2010 indicated that 39.7% of women in North and South Kivu had experienced sexual violence. In 2023, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported a sharp increase in sexual violence cases in the DRC, mainly concentrated in and around Goma. MSF treated 25,166 survivors nationwide, averaging more than two patients per hour. In the first five months of 2024 alone, MSF treated 17,363 survivors in North Kivu, representing 69% of

8580-643: The last years in Walikale. It is very hard to evaluate their number, as today they often attack in alliance with the Mayi-Mayi Tseka, or very occasionally with the FDLR. One of the most recent grouped attacks is the one lead in the famous mining site of Bisié. Initially, the Mayi-Mayi Kifuafua was a self-defense group, aiming at defending their villages against the CNDP (previously called the RDC) in

8690-403: The lava and by emissions of carbon dioxide , which causes asphyxiation . The lava also covered over the northern 1 km of the 3-kilometre (9,800 ft) runway of Goma International Airport , isolating the terminal and apron which were at that end. The lava can easily be seen in satellite photographs, and aircraft can be seen using the 2-km (6,500-ft) southern section of the runway which

8800-471: The leaders of these factions These different tendencies and orientations are believed to be at the origins of ethnic tensions between Walowa Loanda and Walowa Ubora. The official motivation of the Mayi-Mayi Tseka is the protection of Walikale against the Tutsi invader. This faction was formed by Tseka, a merchant of ore, by young peasant from Walikale having lost their lands during the war, by some deserters of

8910-503: The need for direct dialogue between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Goma has been heavily affected by sexual violence , which is deeply intertwined with the ongoing regional conflicts, economic instability, and social challenges that have marked the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo for decades. Armed groups, local militias, and, at times, even some members of state forces have been implicated in sexual violence against civilians. Such violations are often weaponized as

9020-532: The neighborhoods allocated for European settlers were concentrated within the contemporary city center ( quartier les Volcans ) and an enclave of the Himbi neighborhood, which persists as the most urbanized, affluent, and wealthy parts of the city. On 25 December 1966, North Kivu regained its district status before becoming a region following the constitutional referendum of June 1967. By 10 July 1988, North Kivu attained its regional autonomy, promulgating its status as

9130-479: The onset of a segregationist urban paradigm, in which Congolese cities became characterized by a dichotomy between modern urban centers and native settlements, resulting in the coexistence of two disparate forms of urban development. As a result of Goma's burgeoning urbanization, the city was officially designated as the provincial capital of the newly established North Kivu Province under Ordinance Law No. 88-178, issued on 15 November 1988. The 1994 Rwandan genocide

9240-402: The partial recovery of the stolen fishing assets in Rwanda. On 6 September, MONUSCO brokered a ceasefire between the FARDC and forces loyal to Laurent Nkunda. However, the following day saw renewed clashes, with most of the population from Goma's surrounding regions seeking shelter in the Mugunga, Lac-Vert, and Ndosho neighborhoods, as well as Goma Centre, fearing further confrontations between

9350-463: The population was lower because the FDLR taxing system encouraged the production of foodstuff and the cultivation of land; the farmers and peasants were fewer victims of attacks and could access their camp with lesser fear than today. The growing power and activities of the FDLR in North Kivu led Kagame and Kabila to plan a joint intervention in 2009, to stop FDLR activities and to repatriate to Rwanda its combatants: this 2009 Eastern Congo offensive

9460-571: The public port of Goma. This hill was formed during ancient volcanic eruptions and marks the southeastern limit of the plain. The vegetation in Goma is predominantly savannah interspersed with bushes . The city's aesthetic appeal is further enhanced by artificial greenery , including trees planted by landowners, which mitigates temperature fluctuations. Hydrographically, Goma benefits from its southern proximity to Lake Kivu and smaller lakes such as Green Lake in Mugunga and Black Lake in Buhimba to

9570-438: The pursuit of Hutus in the Zairean forests. They devised ways to dispose of large numbers of bodies by "dissolving them in acid, dumping them in rivers and swamps, or burning them, and established open air crematorium". Various UN missions attempted to establish safe zones and facilitate the movement of refugees. Between 13 June and 14 July 1994, an overwhelming number of refugees, ranging from 10,000 to 12,000 per day, fled across

9680-563: The ramifications of COVID-19, in alignment with the directives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the national Ministry of Public Health . These regulations encompassed the closure of educational institutions, places of worship, markets, and various public venues, coupled with prohibitions on large congregations, resulting in the cancellation of Goma's annual Amani Festival in 2021. Despite these measures, Goma's economy confronted considerable adversities, with

9790-622: The region of Ufamando, in South Kivu. Today they have moved to South Walikale, in Walowa Loanda and Walowe Ubora regions, and control the southern axis of Chambucha to Karete. This position is very strategic as it is right on the trade road linking Bukavu to Walikale. They also control the eastern area of the Chambucha-Karete axis. The Mayi-Mayi Kifuafua is divided into two groups, and antagonisms have started to arise between

9900-700: The region. From 2016 to 2022, recurring conflicts and subsequent displacements in Goma exacerbated the health crisis, with recurrent outbreaks of communicable diseases such as cholera, measles, and a resurgence of malaria. Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions within IDP camps facilitated the spread of these diseases, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified health challenges for IDPs, as healthcare systems became severely strained, limiting access to treatment and vaccination. IDPs were particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19 outcomes due to overcrowded conditions and insufficient health resources. A pastor infected during

10010-494: The scale of malnutrition. Between January 2000 and December 2007, cholera remained a persistent threat in North and South Kivu, with 73,605 reported cases and 1,612 deaths, resulting in a lethality rate of 2.2%. In North Kivu, the cholera strains identified included Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor Ogawa and Inaba, with the latter being exclusive to South Kivu. Annual cholera outbreaks peaked at over 700 cases per week, particularly affecting health districts bordering lakes. Despite

10120-709: The severity of these outbreaks, between January and April 2002, only 140 cholera cases were reported across Goma, with no fatalities—a significant deviation from the city's typical average of 29 cases weekly for that period. In 2012, nearly 1 million children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were estimated to suffer from acute malnutrition, with North Kivu, where Goma is located, being particularly affected. Food shortages further hindered access to adequate nutrition for IDPs. Continuous exposure to violence and trauma led to pervasive mental health issues, including anxiety , depression , and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with limited mental health support available in

10230-402: The survivors, 76.3% underwent pregnancy tests , 6.4% of which were positive. Additionally, 55.4% of survivors received contraception , and 91.1% were offered post-exposure prophylactic treatment for HIV. For over three decades, Goma has served as a major site for internally displaced persons (IDPs), predominantly due to the recurrent waves of violence and humanitarian emergencies besieging

10340-757: The swift capture of Goma by the RCD and Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), with minimal resistance. Goma remained beyond the reach of the Kinshasa government's forces for nearly three years, save for sporadic barrage . Amidst these conflicts, the RCD's bias towards the local Tutsi community, Rwandan interference in provincial affairs, and the brutality of RCD and RPA troops towards civilians in North Kivu prompted many locals to join Mayi-Mayi armed groups to defend their communities. The Mayi-Mayi militias utilized forested areas and national parks as bases for launching attacks against RCD and RPA forces. With support from Kinshasa,

10450-458: The territory constitutes their strength. On the other hand, the accumulation of years and years of fighting and wild livelihoods (part of their members literally live in the forest all year long) as well as the discovery that their chiefs (involved in the 1994 genocide) have absolutely no interests in going back to Rwanda (the official and initial aim of the FDLR), where they would probably be judged by

10560-512: The territory, the FDLR tried on a few occasions to create alliances with the Mayi-Mayi Kifufua, Simba or Tseka, but at the moment no long term alliance has been created and fights between the FDLR and these groups are believed to have occurred on access to mines. The FDLR have an important impact in Walikale today: from all the armed groups’ presents in the region, they are the most organized, numerous, structured and their knowledge of

10670-509: The total cases treated across five provinces in the previous year. Despite substantial media coverage, sexual violence within the DRC remains insufficiently addressed in medical literature . A study conducted in Goma from 2013 to 2017 revealed that sexual violence disproportionately affected females below 18 years, with an average age of 16.5 years. Half of the perpetrators were known to the survivors; 12% of survivors tested positive for pregnancy, and 43% received emergency contraception . In

10780-536: The use of weapons. Vaginal assault occurred in all cases, and other forms of assault, like touching, occurred in 7.2% of cases. Strangers constituted 64.7% of the perpetrators, and 61.4% of assailants were identified as members of military or police forces. Among survivors, 8.1% had a physical disability . Of the 700 survivors, only 16.1% sought medical consultation for genital injuries , and 0.7% presented with mutism . Approximately 60.6% sought medical care within 72 hours, with 8.1% testing positive for HIV . Of

10890-459: The violence had displaced over 80,000 people, many of whom sought refuge on the outskirts of Goma. The conflict escalated further in early 2007, with Goma's healthcare organization, Groupe d'Entraide et de Solidarité Médicale (GESOM), treating an average of three rape survivors daily from both urban and rural sectors. On 17 May, FARDC arrested 14 Rwandan nationals, including members of Nkunda's brigade, as MONUSCO noted that his militia in North Kivu

11000-455: The virus spread throughout the country, resulting in a cumulative total of over 56,086 cases and 1,068 deaths (1.9% lethality ) as of 5 September 2021. Kinshasa reported the highest number of cases, followed by North Kivu, which constituted 10.4% (5,841 cases) of the national aggregate. Within Goma, the virus predominantly disseminated via community-based transmission. In response, the DRC instituted stringent containment protocols to attenuate

11110-463: The war, and the instauration of terror, recurrent massacres, and killings that followed Umoja Wetu were exclusively meant to put a pressure on the government. The military operation Kimia II and Amani Leo, led by the FARDC and supported by MONUC (which then became MONUSCO), worsened the insecurity in Walikale: not only were civilians victims of abuses meant to force the FARDC to stop their attacks, but also, entire villages were destroyed by fighting between

11220-418: The west. Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies Goma's climate as a tropical savanna climate ( Aw ). Goma is much milder than most climates of its latitude due to the city's high altitude, and sees warm days and pleasant nights year-round. Goma spreads over an approximate area of 75.72 km (29.24 sq mi) and has an estimated population of nearly 2 million people according to

11330-653: The western edge of the province. Since 1975, the southwest corner of the Walikale has been a part of Kahuzi-Biéga National Park . The principal peoples of the territory are: There are three main ways to access Walikale Centre from Goma. The easiest and most secure way is by plane: there are no internal flights between Walikale and Goma, but the MONUSCO often flies from one city to the other, as well as some commercial planes. The landing strips are also very precarious. The other ways of accessing Walikale Center from Goma are by land: Another possibility to access Walikale Centre

11440-865: Was diagnosed on 20 July 1994, leading to a major outbreak within the camps that saw an estimated 58,000 to 80,000 cases in less than a month. Concurrently, an outbreak of bloody diarrhea caused by Shigella dysenteriae type 1 emerged in early August, persisting in the camps until November. These outbreaks contributed to unprecedented mortality rates during the first month of the emergency, with an estimated 50,000 deaths recorded between mid-July and mid-August. The influx also led to severe food insecurity among IDPs, resulting in widespread malnutrition, particularly affecting children. Goma's already fragile health infrastructure struggled to meet these needs, as ongoing conflict limited resources and disrupted supply chains. Many displaced families lacked access to sufficient food, and local health services were ill-equipped to address

11550-483: Was divided into Mabanga North and Mabanga South quartiers . Parenthetically, the provincial authorities granted permission for the establishment of a new quartier , Bujovu, within the commune of Karisimbi , comprising cells from the Majengo and Virunga quartiers , namely Byahi and Tyazo cells. The village of Ngoma was a port for lake traffic and a crossroads for the overland trade routes between Central Africa and

11660-586: Was executed by the interim Rwandan government against the Tutsi population and Hutu moderates. In response, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), formed by Tutsi refugees from Uganda, who already held control over significant portions of northern Rwanda after their invasion in 1990 and the ongoing Civil War , overthrew the Hutu government in Kigali , forcing them out. Over two million Hutus fled

11770-566: Was named Umoja Wetu ("Our Unity" in Swahili). Judging whether this first intervention was efficient or not is irrelevant here, but two months after, in March 2009, the FDLR had grown in power again and started to lead reprisal attacks on the population. In Walikale, the consequences of these reprisals led to a food and humanitarian crisis in 2009 and marked the beginning of insecurity and violence in Walikale. (GRIP, 2011) Many "volunteers" also joined

11880-407: Was part of the U.N.'s World Food Programme (WFP). Two others were also killed. As of March 2022, the clashes between the FARDC, the M23, and various armed groups in North Kivu have displaced over one million people. Among them, more than 600,000 have fled to overcrowded and unsanitary camps on the fringes of Goma. Gender-based violence has also soared in the region, resulting in the prevalence of

11990-453: Was under control of the FDLR, who had imposed its own rules and organization. Regular collections were organized within the local population of each village, and a part of their harvest had to be given, as a sort of tax. In exchange, the FDLR protected them. Furthermore, the members of the FDLR even started to develop economic activities other than mining looting, such as farming, local trade of foodstuff or manufactured products, and even building

12100-738: Was wearing distinctive Rwandan military uniforms. Later in May, the French Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bernard Prévost, visited the Mugunga displacement camp near Sake and announced that France would allocate over € 2.6 million to the World Food Programme to support displaced persons in the eastern DRC. In June 2007, William Lacy Swing , Director General of the International Organization for Migration , expressed profound concern about

#793206