** Goma: The rationing of liquidity and its consequences on the daily life of the inhabitants in the face of the occupation of the M23 **
The current situation in Goma, following the occupation of this city by the rebel group M23 since January 27, 2025, illustrates how the armed crises not only affect the physical security of the populations, but also their economic security. Banks, which are at the heart of modern financial life, have closed, resulting in dramatic repercussions on the population. This article intends to explore not only the challenges faced by the inhabitants of Goma, but also to reflect on innovative solutions that could be envisaged in such a precarious situation.
### the immediate impact of the closure of the banks
Deprive a community of its fundamental financial institutions creates a shock wave that spreads through economic relations. In Goma, the inhabitants can no longer access their bank accounts, kill in the egg any possibility of paying current expenses. A makeshift solution is to go to neighboring countries, such as Rwanda, to withdraw funds using bank cards, but this option, although Esential for some, is gangrenated by high transaction costs and disadvantageous currency conversions.
A recent study by the World Bank reveals that in crisis contexts, access to liquidity is one of the main indicators of the economic resilience of individuals. In Goma, the current situation could already be qualified as a humanitarian emergency, the lack of liquidity considerably altering the capacity of families to meet their basic needs.
### A crisis that worsens: the expiration of bank cards
The climate of uncertainty is exacerbated by a new problem: the imminent expiration of bank cards. David Katumbi, a resident of Goma, only illustrates the legitimate concerns of thousands of others who feel trapped in a dead end. With cards that will soon come to their deadline, the question is not only to know where to withdraw money, but above all to know how to maintain a certain quality of life in the absence of viable banking solutions.
This situation is not unique to Goma. In contexts of conflict, other regions of Africa, such as South Sudan or the Central African Republic, have also undergone the assaults of similar crises. However, solutions could be considered to mitigate this scourge. For example, local microfinance initiatives could be trained to temporarily help residents access liquidity.
### to an innovative response
To overcome this situation, several avenues should be envisaged. On the one hand, cooperation with NGOs and international organizations could help establish a fund transfer system adapted to local conditions. Mobile banking approaches, which have proven themselves in other African countries, could also offer refuge to the inhabitants of Goma. Simply using a mobile phone, validated by identification services, onlookers could perform financial transactions without the need for physical banks.
On the other hand, in concert with humanitarian actors, an information and awareness campaign could help locals better prepare to manage their finances in a crisis environment. Learning to use alternative payment systems or cryptocurrencies, even with limited internet access, could gradually reduce dependence on vulnerable banking institutions.
### Conclusion: Pressure resilience
The economic disaster faced by the inhabitants of Goma is indicative of the wider challenges that arise in times of conflict. Although they are trapped in political turmoil, innovation and solidarity can offer help. The story of David Katumbi and other inhabitants demonstrates that beyond suffering, there is a call for action. Financial officials, local governments and humanitarian organizations must come together to develop creative and sustainable solutions that meet the needs of these precarious communities.
The present and the future of Goma depend on our collective capacity to react to this crisis with responsibility and ingenuity, in order to give new life to a community which desperately aspires to regain access to its financial resources. The inhabitants of Goma, like so many others in the world, deserve not only to survive, but to have the means to prosper even in adversity.