A week after the capture of Goma the capital of North Kivu Province, DRC, the M23 administration can be described as acting efficient, professional and determined, Taarifa Editor, reliably reports from Goma.
Yasin Tusingwire, a proprietor of an upscale coffee shop in Goma, told Taarifa in a conversation on Wednesday that the M23 leadership first lifted the curfew after installing its new leadership.
The M23 leadership in Goma was sworn in on Friday last week promising; “a responsible administration that must be accountable.”
Corneille Nangaa, head of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) to which M23 is affiliated, said the new administration will manage Goma responsibly.
Combing through the long streets of Goma, Taarifa noticed that businesses open as early as 6AM, and traffic jams begin forming at that monumental round-about by 7AM as the yellow Taxis ferry passengers to different destinations within the city.
Asouman Tembo, operating a roadside Uganda-style Rolex business, has six clients queuing to be served. “two eggs rolled in one chapati cost 2000 Congolese francs,” Tembo says when I place an order.
As he is preparing my rolex, I ask him whether he is not afraid of his safety, “We are doing business and the new leaders are good people. They just mind their own security business.”
Before Tembo concludes his statement, a military truck emerges with M23 soldiers in desert-like camouflage military gear, black hand gloves holding guns and neatly polished boots. My heart begins pumping as they stop by, they smile abit and greet in Kinyarwanda, “Mumeze neza,” I respond, tumeze neza kabisa. They jump off the truck, open a nearby massive gate and enter with their commander in the front seat on a radiocall.
In Goma, the guns are silent even entire nights, but the M23 pickup trucks and possibly plainclothed agents keep monitoring the streets. However, the nights are extremely silent and cars on streets totally get silent by 10PM except for some stubborn domesticated dogs that bark.
Taking a stroll at about 1AM, I found a small liquor shop still open and about ten men seated on pavement drinking, but conversing in their low tones. I quickly buy a big bottle of drinking water and walk back to my apartment.
Border management is also among the stronger points the M23 Administration should be credited with. They easily guide anyone as long as you politely seek help.
The La Corniche One Stop Border Post opening hours have been extended from 6PM under Felix Tshisekedi administration to 10PM under M23 administration and there are signs that in a few days to come the border will run 24hours.
Despite the recent security situation in Goma, there are still long queues of both arrivals and departures making La Corniche One Stop Border Post (OSBP) retain its title as one of the busiest border posts in the East African Community region.
Cargo truck numbers are still high at the border as they process to cross on either side. Construction is going on for high rise buildings especially hotels, apartments and private homes and this keeps cargo trucks on the move delivering materials such as tiles, interior materials and cement produced from other East African countries.
Despite the uninterrupted businesses, construction and flow of people and goods across the DRC border, there are still signs of fear. There are no foreign cars on Goma streets.
“Foreign cars, especially from EAC countries, may trigger a few angry mobs. Previously it was difficult for a foreign registered car to enter DRC because of the Kinshasha stance against neighbouring Rwanda and other EAC countries but the M23 administration has lifted restrictions,” Tusingwire tells Taarifa.
On the other hand, the exit of United Nations workers and Monusco, including other foreign agencies have left several hotels and various upscale apartments empty, effectively pulling prices down.
Christian Bolingo, a mason, arrives early at a construction site, five other workers join him, “we have to finish fitting water pipes and a new coat of paint on the walls. The boss gave us only one month,” he says.
“Clients have been very few since the war began. Most foreign workers left the country and this has had a significant impact on the number of tenants, business is not good,” Bolingo says, adding that he also works as a broker.
By the time of filing this story, news on the radio claimed the M23 were advancing to South Kivu.
Patrick Bigabo in Goma
