Hundreds of protestors in the Himbi neighbourhood of Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, on Friday, January 31, called for the removal of Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi as well as the exit of troops from Burundi and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from their country. ALSO READ : ‘We hope for the best since M23 are here,’ – Goma residents Hundreds of people, mostly Internally Displaced People (IDPs) from several camps around the town which fell to the AFC/M23 rebels on January 27 praised the rebels. PHOTOS: Congolese protesters gathered outside the North Kivu Province Governor's offices in the Himbi neighborhood of Goma, to demonstrate against the government in Kinshasa. : @dushimimana_e /TNT pic.twitter.com/xi4WBeSgxY — The New Times (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda) January 31, 2025 But they denounced Tshisekedi’s management of the country, and particularly the conflict in the east where more than 200 armed groups have wreaked havoc for years. The war between a Congolese government army coalition that included the genocidal FDLR militia, over 10,000 Burundian forces, 1,600 European mercenaries, and South Africa-led SADC forces, and the M23 rebels started in 2021. Close to 300 mercenaries who survived the rebels’ advance on Goma surrendered and were given safe passage, through Rwanda, to return home. ALSO READ: Who are the M23 rebels, why are they fighting? Protesters carrying signs that read “TUNACHOKA NA TSHISEKEDI [we are tired of Tshisekedi]” and “TUNAOMBA FORCE ZA BURUNDI NA SADEC BARUDIYE KWABO [we ask Burundi and SADC forces to go back home]” shouted “we want our rights! we don’t want Tshitsekedi!” a day after a press conference in which rebel leader Corneille Nangaa declared that they will continue the march of liberation all the way to the vast country’s capital, Kinshasa. ALSO READ: Timeline of events before and after M23 entered Goma Evelyne Kabongoli Tafazali, a 35-year-old mother of five, from Buhimba IDP camp on the outskirts of Goma, told The New Times that she fled from her village in Kiabondo, a village in Minova, South Kivu Province. https://x.com/NewTimesRwanda/status/1885301841455415487 She said : « I am so happy because ever since M23 arrived here [Goma], they ensured there is security and we hear no more bombs and there is no harassement from government troops. But in the [IDP] camp we lack water and food, and are suffering. Back home, our homes have been destroyed. We wish we could get support to resume our normal lives. » Tafazali had no kind words for the government in Kinshasa. « I hate the current government. If I had poison I would poison them because they have made us suffer. Ever since they came to power we have had no peace. » ALSO READ : M23 rebels capture key South Kivu town of Minova Nangaa said the rebel alliance he heads wants to confront “poor governance and a failed state.” His country is potentially one of the richest countries on earth, but colonialism, bad leadership, and corruption, have turned it into one of the poorest. It is one of the most fertile countries in Africa and it is endowed with has vast mineral deposits of diamonds, gold, and copper, but it remains one of Africa's poorest and most troubled countries. ALSO READ: Rwanda condemns MONUSCO’s use of Nazi Germany language in eastern DR Congo conflict While addressing the demonstrators on Friday, AFC/M23 Executive Secretary Benjamin Mbonimpa urged them to return to their homes since security is now guaranteed, so that they may start “working hard to rebuild your lives.” He said: Tshisekedi refused the way of talks and now we are marching to Kinshasa. We know you have suffered so muchbut we are going to put that to and end. We will do everything so that normalcy returns.” The rebels have vowed to eliminate hate speech “since every Congolese citizen must feel free in our country” and genocide ideology. ALSO READ: Belgian lawyer on why genocide ideology doesn’t dissolve three decades after dispersion of genocidaires In a statement on January 24, the rebels said: “The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) fully acknowledges the intolerable suffering endured by the people of Goma. We have heard their call for liberation and peace. Consequently, we urge the Congolese population to remain calm and prepare to welcome AFC/M23, which is resolutely committed to bringing peace and stability to the region. We are advancing to liberate our compatriots in Goma and to restore security and dignity to the Congolese people.” The rebels accuse the Congolese army of, among other things, cooperating with militias such FDLR, which have persecuted Congolese Tutsi communities and destabilized eastern DR Congo for nearly 30 years. Various regional peace initiatives have failed to bring an end to the conflict which has affected relations between Rwanda and DR Congo, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of supporting the rebels. The Rwandan government dismisses the allegations, and warns about the collaboration between the Congolese army and FDLR, which is a threat to Rwanda's security.
