Rubavu residents resumed business activities on Tuesday, January 28 following heavy shelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Monday, which caused some damage and sparked panic in the tourism and business town. Calm has since returned to the town, with gunfire subsiding. Many residents who had fled to the outskirts were seen returning home on Tuesday. Sporadic gunfire was still heard in the early hours of Tuesday from the Goma side. Business owners interviewed by The New Times reported no major disruptions to their operations. Mansul Tuyisenge, owner of a supermarket, said, We closed yesterday due to the shelling from Goma town. I witnessed many families fleeing, but I stayed. I reopened to ensure my family has food when they return. My wife and children fled, but I remained. A bullet struck the ceiling, but that's the extent of the damage. “Heavy shelling and light weapon gunfire have declined, there is calm. There is no need for them [his family] to stay away from home.” Velentine Ineza, another shopkeeper, also resumed business on Tuesday but received fewer customers shopping for food items. We couldn't work on Monday due to the heavy fighting, she said. Some neighbours were injured by bullets from Goma, and some buildings were damaged. Business is gradually returning to normal, but with low customer traffic. The shelling followed a clash between the M23 armed group and the Congolese army (FARDC) and its allies, which resulted in the death of 9 Rwandans and injured 35 others after bombs and bullets struck Rwandan territory, according to RDF Spokesperson Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga FARDC and its allies, including the genocidal FDLR, subsequently opened fire on Rubavu. However, the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) responded and restored calm. The RDF will ensure Rwanda's security and protect the country's sovereignty, Brig Gen Rwivanga emphasized. The RDF will continue to take all necessary measures to prevent further threats and attacks on Rwandan territory.
