### A spiral of violence in Bukavu: between impunity and quest for justice
On Wednesday, February 26, the city of Bukavu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was the scene of a new tragedy. Three young people were shot in the Panzi-Essance district, a tragic commentary on the precarious security of the inhabitants, which the testimonies report as the fruit of an response to an act of initial violence. A man in uniform, accused of being involved in the instability which affects the region, had been burned alive by the population the day before. This highlights complex dynamics of urban violence in a context already responsible for political and social tensions.
#### Insecurity dynamics in Bukavu
The movement of violence that shakes Bukavu can be perceived as a distorting mirror of broader issues in the DRC, where the feeling of impunity reigns. Indeed, the recent presence of the M23 rebels, which control the streets of the city, aggravates the situation. This armed group is often accused of being at the origin of insecurity, multiplier of anxiety and despair for the inhabitants. According to statistical analyzes, incidents of armed violence in this region have increased by almost 50 % in the last six months, highlighting an urgent need for an institutional and security response.
The accusation of a man in military outfit in a neighborhood like Panzi-Essance is not the result of chance, but rather the reflection of a generalized mistrust towards the security forces, perceived as collaborators or ineffective in the face of the threats that are the armed groups. The inhabitants, in their quest for security, then become actors of popular justice. This raises the thorny question of the legitimacy of these actions: to what extent can civilians take law in their hands when they believe that the state abandons them?
#### A population that is organized
The reaction of the inhabitants of Panzi-Essance is not isolated. By observing other cities of the DRC, there is a similar trend where communities, faced with the ineffectiveness of the police, are organized to ensure their own security. Informal groups are formed and emerging community surveillance strategies. However, this self-justice can lead to an indiscriminate cycle of violence, where innocent people are not spared.
### The consequences of a cycle of violence
The assassination of the three young people does not only account for a personal tragedy; It is a symptom of a social disease that eats away Bukavu and, by extension, several regions of the DRC. While some flee their homes, frightened by the atmosphere of revenge and reprisals, others remain to defend their land. According to reports from humanitarian organizations, population trips in response to armed violence increased by 32 % between 2021 and 2023.
The absence of a real rule of law allows cycles of violence to perpetuate themselves and makes the task of humanitarian actors even more complex. Initiatives to establish intercommunity dialogues must be considered to prevent conflict climbing. It becomes crucial to establish confidence between the population and the institutions, in a climate where the latter must not only prove their presence but also their effectiveness.
### to a lasting solution
In short, the spiral of violence in Bukavu requires via Fatshimetrics solutions that go far beyond simple short-term security. The implementation of reconciliation and disarmament programs, as well as increased support for security forces, are essential. It is also imperative to envisage a holistic approach which takes into account the economic and social factors that nourish this violence.
In the future, the social, political and economic actors of the DRC must redouble their efforts to clean up the situation, build a constructive dialogue between the different components of society and develop an inclusive strategy, guaranteeing security and justice for all. In the meantime, the Panzi-Essance district is the silent witness to human tragedies that echo deeper wounds, and the hope of lasting peace still seems a distant horizon.