Political Violence in --- Bukavu (DRC - Rwanda Borderland)

Key Actors

• Gumino Mayi Mayi (2007-present): Gumino remains one of the most violent militias in South Kivu, led by Colonel Michel Rukunda (Makanika). Their influence continues to grow, especially in rural areas where they often clash with local defense forces and the FARDC. In January 2023, Gumino carried out a high-profile ambush in Kabamba Kikozi, killing a local defense leader and seizing control of several localities. This incident demonstrates their ongoing involvement in violence against both military and civilian targets, while also displacing thousands. The group’s persistence and territorial control reflect their deep entrenchment in the conflict dynamics of the region, including the capital Bukavu.
• FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo): FARDC, despite being the primary state security force, continues to face significant challenges in South Kivu. In 2023, they launched several operations against armed groups such as Gumino but suffered from logistical limitations. A notable engagement in November 2022 saw FARDC losing soldiers during a clash with unidentified armed groups in Kabamba village. Although they have worked alongside local defense forces and benefitted from international support, FARDC struggles to provide consistent protection to civilians due to the complex and fragmented nature of the conflict.
• PNC (Congolese National Police): PNC is often tasked with managing civil unrest and crime, but their presence is frequently marred by violent confrontations. In March 2023, tensions between the PNC and civilians boiled over in Bagira after a police officer shot a protester, leading to riots. Such incidents highlight the strained relationship between law enforcement and the population. The PNC's heavy-handed tactics during demonstrations and their frequent clashes with armed groups exacerbate the overall insecurity in Bukavu and other parts of South Kivu.
• Local Defense Groups: These groups continue to play a vital role in protecting communities from armed groups, though they are often drawn into cycles of revenge violence. In February 2023, a local defense force launched a retaliatory raid against Gumino after one of their leaders was killed, further escalating violence. While essential for local security, these groups frequently operate outside of formal military structures and are known to carry out extrajudicial killings and other abuses, contributing to the volatility of the region.
• Vigilante Groups: In Bukavu, where the state’s judicial system is perceived as ineffective, vigilante justice has become increasingly common. In May 2024, vigilantes burned a suspected thief alive in Bagira after catching him in the act of theft. These actions reflect a broader sense of lawlessness and frustration among civilians, who feel they must take justice into their own hands. While these groups aim to curb crime, their violent methods only perpetuate a cycle of extralegal retribution.
• MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2002-2024): After more than two decades, MONUSCO ended its operations in South Kivu in April 2024. During its tenure, MONUSCO was instrumental in stabilizing key areas through joint operations with FARDC, civilian protection, and peacebuilding efforts. However, challenges such as persistent violence and logistical limitations prevented the mission from fully realizing its goals. As MONUSCO’s military personnel withdrew, they handed over bases to FARDC, including a key facility near Bukavu. A residual civilian team remains to assist with transitional efforts, but the responsibility for security now fully rests with Congolese authorities. The transition marks a pivotal moment for South Kivu, as the province must now navigate its own security and peacebuilding without MONUSCO’s presence.
• LUCHA (Lutte pour le Changement, 2012-present): LUCHA remains a prominent force for non-violent protest and activism in South Kivu. In March 2023, the group organized a large demonstration in Bukavu, protesting the ongoing violence and government inaction. Known for their disciplined approach, LUCHA continues to advocate for peace and government accountability, often clashing with police during their protests. Despite facing police repression, including arrests and tear gas, LUCHA’s dedication to non-violent activism remains critical in raising awareness of the region's persistent insecurity and governance challenges.

Key Places

• Ibanda (Bukavu): As the administrative center of Bukavu, Ibanda frequently experiences both protests and violent crime. In May 2023, an armed robbery resulted in three deaths, and one of the perpetrators was lynched by residents, underscoring the prevalence of mob justice in the area. Ibanda is also a focal point for political demonstrations, such as the February 2023 protest against international involvement in the conflict in eastern Congo. The neighborhood’s combination of political activity and high crime rates makes it a key area for both civil unrest and violent incidents.
• Kadutu (Bukavu): Kadutu, a densely populated commune in Bukavu, is frequently the scene of both criminal incidents and civil unrest. In September 2021, armed men attacked and looted a group of priests, reflecting the persistent insecurity in the area. Residents of Kadutu are often involved in protests, such as in April 2021 when they blocked roads following the police killing of a civilian, highlighting tensions between the population and security forces. These protests, driven by frustration over poor infrastructure and governance failures, often escalate into violent confrontations, demonstrating Kadutu's significance as a hotspot for resistance against law enforcement and local authorities.
• Bagira (Bukavu): Bagira is notable for its incidents of mob justice and clashes with armed groups. In May 2024, vigilantes burned a suspected thief alive, exemplifying the breakdown of formal justice mechanisms in the area. Armed robberies and violent attacks are also common, such as in June 2024 when unidentified gunmen killed three women during a robbery. Protests over insecurity, like those in 2020 and 2021, further reflect the ongoing tensions between Bagira’s residents and local authorities. Bagira remains a volatile area, with vigilante groups and armed assailants contributing to its overall instability.
• Ndendere (Ibanda, Bukavu): Ndendere has been a recurring site of violent crime and mob justice. In June 2024, a civilian was beheaded by an unidentified group, an incident that followed a series of mob attacks in the area. In May 2024, a thief was lynched by a crowd, and in 2023, an armed robbery resulted in the deaths of three people, underscoring the high levels of insecurity in Ndendere. This neighborhood illustrates the challenges faced by both law enforcement and local communities in managing crime and justice, as residents increasingly take matters into their own hands.
• Cikonyi (Bagira, Bukavu): Cikonyi is another neighborhood in Bukavu marked by a history of violence and mistrust of security forces. In August 2022, armed men attacked civilians and looted homes. A notable incident in May 2021 involved the lynching of a police officer after he shot a civilian, an event that led to riots and the destruction of a local police station. These incidents reflect ongoing tensions between the community and law enforcement, with mobs often responding violently to perceived injustices.

Recent Political Violence

• 8 May 2024: In Brasserie, Bukavu, a member of the UNC political party was killed by police while attempting to disperse civilians who were trying to loot a World Food Program warehouse. This incident highlighted the volatile relationship between security forces and civilians during periods of economic and political tension, and the challenges faced by authorities in controlling civil unrest.
• 17-19 May 2024: In Bagira, vigilantes burned alive a suspected thief over the course of two days. This event was part of a broader pattern of mob justice in the area, where residents increasingly take the law into their own hands in response to perceived failures in formal justice systems. These extrajudicial killings underscore the severity of insecurity in parts of Bukavu.
• 11 June 2024: A civilian was beheaded by unidentified attackers in the 'Industriel' area of Ndendere, Bukavu. The body was discovered the following day, with no clear motive for the killing. This violent act fueled fears of growing insecurity in the city, as armed groups continue to operate with impunity, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods.
• 4 May 2023: In the Ngeza area of Bukavu, an armed robbery resulted in the deaths of three civilians, including a young girl. The robbery targeted a Bureau de Change operator, and the assailants fired indiscriminately while escaping. One of the robbers was later caught and lynched by a mob, an event that highlighted the widespread use of vigilante justice in response to rising crime.
• 20 August 2024: In Nyakavogo, Bagira, a civilian was lynched by residents after being wrongly accused of involvement in a kidnapping group. This incident of mistaken identity resulted in a violent death and reflects the extreme measures taken by communities that have lost faith in the effectiveness of law enforcement. Mob justice remains a critical issue in Bukavu.
• 20 July 2024: Youth in Bagira organized a protest, barricading roads after a civilian was killed by security forces the previous day. The police responded by firing live ammunition, escalating the situation. This protest is one of many that underscores the fraught relationship between civilians and police in Bukavu, where demonstrations frequently turn violent due to the use of force by authorities.

Key Large Scale Events

• 29 June 2020: A large-scale protest erupted in Bagira, Bukavu, as residents demanded the reopening of churches that had been closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Hundreds of protesters gathered, blocking roads and clashing with security forces. The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, but the protest reflected broader frustration with the government’s pandemic measures, which had severely affected daily life in the region. This event drew significant attention due to the scale of the protest and the involvement of religious groups.
• 30 January 2021: In the Cahi district of Bagira, Bukavu, unidentified armed men carried out a deadly incursion, killing three civilians and seriously injuring three others. The assailants looted homes and shops, causing widespread panic in the community. This mass-casualty incident was one of the more brutal attacks in Bukavu and exemplified the ongoing insecurity faced by civilians, even in urban areas.
• 4 December 2020: Thousands of members and supporters of the UNC party and other political and civil society organizations marched in Bukavu city, demanding the release of their leader Vital Kamerhe, who was imprisoned at the time due to allegations of embezzlement. The protest paralyzed the city as demonstrators clashed with police, who used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the crowds. This event was one of the largest political demonstrations in Bukavu in recent years, reflecting the deep political divisions within the region.
• 5 September 2020: Hundreds of students took to the streets of Bukavu to protest the killing of a fellow student by robbers. The demonstration blocked main roads, and the situation escalated as protesters clashed with police, who fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. This protest was significant due to the intensity of the response and the number of people involved, highlighting the pervasive insecurity affecting even educational institutions.

Key Trends

• Increased Vigilantism: Over the past several years, there has been a notable rise in incidents of mob justice in Bukavu. This trend reflects a growing mistrust in law enforcement and judicial systems. While vigilantism has always been present in some form, its frequency has increased significantly since 2020. Communities frustrated with delayed or inadequate responses from the police are increasingly taking justice into their own hands, often leading to the lynching or burning of suspected criminals. The number of such incidents rose sharply in 2023 and 2024, particularly in neighborhoods like Bagira and Ndendere. These acts of violence suggest a deepening crisis in public security and governance.

• Escalation of Protests: Political and social protests in Bukavu have become more frequent and larger in scale over the past decade. While protests have long been a part of the city’s political landscape, demonstrations since 2020 have increasingly turned violent, with protesters clashing more frequently with police. The demands of the protests have also evolved—from economic and social grievances, such as those related to unpaid salaries and living conditions, to broader political unrest. The 2020 and 2023 protests over national politics, including demonstrations for the release of political leader Vital Kamerhe and protests against foreign involvement in the M23 conflict, saw significant turnout and violent confrontations with police, indicating an increasing polarization in political sentiment.
• Rising Criminal Violence and Insecurity: Over time, Bukavu has seen a rise in criminal activity, particularly violent robberies and attacks on civilians. These events, which were previously less frequent, have become a more common part of everyday life, particularly in urban neighborhoods like Ngeza and Kadutu. Armed groups and individual criminal actors have carried out more brazen attacks, with increased civilian casualties. Since 2020, there has been a marked increase in robberies resulting in fatalities, as seen in the deadly robbery in May 2023. This trend is closely tied to the growing presence of armed groups in the region and the weakening capacity of local law enforcement.
• Persistent Ethnic and Militia-Related Violence: While Bukavu itself is primarily urban, the city has not been immune to the effects of ethnic tensions and militia activities originating in the surrounding areas of South Kivu. Armed groups, including Gumino Mayi Mayi, continue to engage in violent clashes, often spilling over into Bukavu. Although militia-related violence was more concentrated in rural areas in earlier years, since 2020, the presence of these groups in and around Bukavu has been more pronounced, exacerbating local tensions and displacing civilians.
• Shifts in Political Priorities of Protests: In the early 2010s, protests in Bukavu largely centered around immediate local grievances, such as road conditions, strikes, and demands for better public services. However, from 2020 onward, the nature of protests shifted to encompass broader national and international issues. For example, in 2023, protesters in Bukavu were calling for the DRC government to sever diplomatic ties with Rwanda due to the M23 conflict, a reflection of growing dissatisfaction with foreign influence and regional instability. This shift in the nature of protests suggests that political violence in Bukavu is increasingly influenced by broader geopolitical tensions.

Information is drawn from ACLED (2024) https://acleddata.com/data/, and processed using Quantum GIS to collect narrative accounts of violent incidents at the sub-national, cross-border level.

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