The commander of the 12th reaction brigade quick FARDC returned from Bukavu on Tuesday, May 2, and according to Saint Cadet Ruvuza Rubib, president of the civil society of the territory of Minembwe (South Kivu), there has been a break in activity in the highlands of the territory of Fizi.
Since General André Ehonza’s arrival, there has already been a resurgence of trust between soldiers and civilians, which had completely vanished before. Military harassment of civilians has ended. In Minembwe, people are starting to move around more freely. They visit the market and return late at night, according to Saint Cadet Ruvuza Rubib.
He is happy that individuals depart Minebwe for Mikenge, for instance, that citizens travel without a soldier’s assistance.
Additionally, he continues, contacts and talks between members of various communities are already starting to occur nearby.
Conflicts that took place during the night of Saturday, March 4, and Sunday, March 5, are what initially sparked tensions between people and soldiers in the village of Uvira. Chako Changu Ebambe, the coordinator of the urban youth committee, claims that it all began in the Kakombe neighborhood when a soldier who was allegedly planning to loot a home was stopped by neighborhood kids working as security. The soldier fired point-blank at these young people as he hurriedly attempted to flee, instantly killing one of them.