Travail à haut risque : « le change de monnaie, source d’insécurité dans la ville de Bukavu »
Between 2016 and 2018, civil society organizations in the city of Bukavu recorded 17 attacks on money-changers (cambistes), both on the streets and in their homes. Often in possession of large sums of cash, money-changers are a favoured target of heavily armed attackers. In this blog, Francine Mudunga explores the causes, consequences and possible solutions […]
De l’Anti-gang aux gangs : « Sécuriser l’insécurité » urbaine à Goma?
The growing insecurity in the city of Goma created by maibobo or street children, prompted the creation of the so-called anti-gang in 2007 around Virunga market. The anti-gang is a group of youth who ensure security in a particular area, including by tracing stolen property and tracking down and dispelling maibobo. In this blog, Axel […]
Enfants sortis des groupes armés et insécurité à Goma
The city of Goma, in North Kivu province, is home to numerous former child soldiers. After leaving armed groups that are active in rural areas, they often go to the city. This is because the communities where they used to live no longer accept them or because of the opportunities available in urban areas. Once […]
Comprendre les vols à main armée et le cambriolage à Uvira
The city of Uvira in South Kivu province has long been a hotbed of armed criminality. The victims of these attacks are primarily small-scale economic operators, such as shopkeepers, money changers and those selling phone credits. In this blog, Juvénal Twaibu analyses the causes of the elevated levels of armed robbery in Uvira. He ascribes these […]
Une gouvernance sécuritaire opaque : Le cas de la campagne Tujikinge à Bukavu
In the months following the inauguration of the new provincial government of South Kivu in October 2017, the city of Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo was witnessing a series of burglaries and violent attacks. The targets of the attacks included private homes, shops, banks, sellers of phone cards and money-changers. In […]
Le phénomène « balala rondo » à Uvira: Une épine dorsale de la sécurité
To protect their neighbourhoods against the rampant criminality that engulfs the city of Uvira, in South Kivu province, youth conduct nightly patrols. These patrol groups are also known as ‘balala rondo’ from the Swahili word kulala (to sleep) and the French word la ronde (patrol). These groups first emerged on the eve of the First […]
L’insécurité à Goma
Depuis le début de 2019, une série de meurtres, de vols qualifiés avec violence et d’enlèvements frappe les quartiers périphériques de Goma. L’aggravation rapide de cette criminalité violente a alarmé les habitants de la ville et les a poussés à réclamer une réponse plus efficace au gouvernement local et aux services de sécurité. L’insécurité à […]
Rebels and the City
Key Points Despite focusing the bulk of their operations on rural areas, armed groups in the eastern Congo have long-standing connections with urban centres. Technological progress, such as mobile communication, and enhanced movement, especially through motorcycle taxis, have intensified these connections. These relations rely on mutual advantages: Urban-based supporters can bolster their political leverage and […]
Insecurity in Goma: Experiences, actors and responses
Since the start of 2019, a series of murders, violent robberies and kidnappings have taken place in peripheral neighbourhoods of Goma. The rapid rise in violent crime has alarmed city residents and led to calls for the local government and security services to respond more effectively. Insecurity in Goma: Experiences, actors and responses maps out the […]
Un système d’insécurité : Comprendre la violence et la criminalité urbaines à Bukavu
Un système d’insécurité: Comprendre la violence et la criminalité urbaines à Bukavu examine le rôle des rôle des acteurs étatiques et non étatiques dans la mise à disposition d’outils pour la sécurité, ainsi qu’à la façon dont les citoyens perçoivent l’insécurité, leur vécu à cet égard et les réponses qu’ils y apportent à Bukavu, capitale […]