Title: “News in Goma: the march of followers of the Wazalendo sect causes chaos”
Introduction :
The city of Goma, in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, experienced a turbulent morning as the country’s attention turned to the start of the school year. A group claiming to be followers of the mystical-religious sect “Wazalendo” stormed the streets of the city, despite the mayor’s ban. Their demand: the departure of MONUSCO, the EAC Regional Force and all Westerners with their NGOs. In this article, we will analyze the events that took place, as well as the possible motivations behind this demonstration.
Chaos in Goma:
Faced with the ban on the march by the authorities, the police intervened to maintain public order, which unfortunately led to loss of life and material damage. Provisional estimates indicate one police officer died, several injured among the armed forces and six deaths among Wazalendo followers. This sect, led by the prophet Bisimwa Ephrem, is already known for its participation in violent events in the past, notably in the neighboring province of South Kivu.
The plan of the instigators of chaos:
According to many analysts, this demonstration in Goma cannot be considered as an isolated event, but as an attempt at destabilization orchestrated by certain actors seeking to sow trouble in the country. Their objective would be to obtain a political dialogue with a view to a transition, thus torpedoing the current electoral process. Several scenarios have already been attempted by these instigators, but so far they have failed to achieve their goal. Among their strategies were the exploitation of created militias and the increase in insecurity in the country.
Claims called into question:
By analyzing the demands of Wazalendo’s followers, it appears that their uprising seems to be the result of exploitation. The requests for withdrawal of MONUSCO and the EAC Regional Force have already been achieved. It is therefore legitimate to wonder if this demonstration is not simply a pretext to create trouble and push those in power to make mistakes.
Conclusion :
The incident that occurred in Goma with the march of followers of the Wazalendo sect highlights the security and political issues facing the Democratic Republic of Congo. While the country strives to maintain order and continue its electoral process, some actors seem ready to do anything to destabilize the situation. It is essential to remain vigilant and continue to support efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.