The government of South Kivu province, in a statement released on October 5, voiced its apprehension regarding the extended operating hours at two border posts, Ruzizi 1st in Bukavu and Grande Barrière in Goma, both under the control of the M23 rebel group. According to the new arrangements, Ruzizi 1st will now remain open until midnight, while Grande Barrière will operate until 2 am.
The decision to extend the operating hours has raised concerns among the provincial authorities, who fear it may facilitate the entry of new populations into the country and their settlement in areas controlled by the M23. This development comes against the backdrop of significant population displacements, the occupation of several Congolese localities, and a fragile security and humanitarian situation.
The government of South Kivu, led by its spokesperson Didier Kabi, emphasized that the measure could lead to an influx of people into the regions controlled by the M23, potentially altering the demographic and territorial composition of certain areas. The authorities warned against what they described as an opaque demographic and territorial evolution.
The provincial government has reiterated its opposition to any policy of forced displacement, replacement, or installation of populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have called on the international community to take measures to address the situation and urged the United Nations to monitor population movements in areas under M23 control.
The extended operating hours at the border posts are seen as a matter of broader concern, encompassing security, population management, and the preservation of territorial integrity. The situation has been highlighted at the international level, with the Congolese representative to the UN citing reports of population displacements and "transplantation" of Rwandan populations into Congolese localities vacated following massacres committed by the Rwandan army and M23.
The government of South Kivu has requested that the international community and the UN take concrete actions to address the evolving situation. The developments at the border posts have underscored the complexities and challenges facing the region, with concerns about the potential for further instability and humanitarian crises.
Key points
- The government of South Kivu province opposes the extension of operating hours at two border posts controlled by the M23 rebel group, citing concerns over potential population displacements and territorial changes.
- The new operating hours at Ruzizi 1st and Grande Barrière have raised fears of an influx of people into areas controlled by the M23, potentially altering the region's demographic composition.
- The provincial government has called on the international community and the UN to take measures to address the situation and monitor population movements in areas under M23 control.
