Lake Kivu, a precious natural gem in the Great Lakes region of Africa, is now marred by disturbing attacks by M23 rebels, instilling fear among boat owners navigating between Minova and Goma. Victims recount horrific tales of violence and fear, painting a stark picture of the escalating insecurity on these once tranquil waters.
One heartbreaking account involves a pregnant woman who tragically lost her baby during an assault on a boat heading to Goma, symbolizing the anguish and vulnerability felt in the face of such barbaric acts. Captain Alfred Genty Kimbutu’s testimony sheds light on the growing menace looming over all maritime operations on the lake.
Kimbutu’s alarming narrative underscores the dire repercussions of these attacks on the daily lives of residents in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, who heavily rely on lake transport for commercial activities. With the RN2 national road already disrupted by violence and the recent assaults on the lake, the region teeters on the brink of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
Shipowners are contemplating suspending operations in response to the rising violence, jeopardizing the crucial supply of essential goods to millions living along Lake Kivu. The looming threat to lake navigation intensifies the crisis, underscoring the urgent need for swift and coordinated efforts to halt these brutal attacks.
The escalating insecurity on Lake Kivu demands action not only from local and international authorities but also from the global community as a whole. Concrete measures must be taken to ensure the populace’s safety, safeguard stability in the region, and avert an impending humanitarian catastrophe.
External link for reference: Radio Okapi