Heavy gunfire continues to envelope South Kivu’s capital, Uvira leaving residents and businesses in extreme panic.
According to Taarifa sources in Uvira, the gunfire commenced early Wednesday morning.
“Gunfire began at 5:00 a.m. on the outskirts of the city before spreading to neighborhoods within Uvira itself around 7:00 a.m,” a source told Taarifa Congo Desk on condition of anonymity.
The same source revealed that gunfire flared in neighbourhoods of Kavimvira, Kasenga, Kalundu, Mulongwe, Kimanga, Nyamianda, and elsewhere. At least one schoolchild died this morning.
Several schools have sent students home, businesses are disrupted and transport between Bukavu, Uvira and elsewhere is suspended.
Numerous sources report that this is an expression of anger from the Wazalendo people following the arrest of one of their own by the army on September 5th.
However, the reasons for this arrest are unknown. Local residents said that the leaflets circulated in the town on Tuesday demanding his release.
