Ramadan “Under Fire”… Bukavu in the DRC “Suffocates”

2nd March 2025

2 minutes read

Ramadan "Under Fire"... Bukavu in the DRC "Suffocates"

From a small opening in her family’s warehouse in Bukavu, Amina Muarabo watches as rebels patrol the streets, checking the identity of passersby.

This scene has become routine in every street and intersection of the capital of South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo since the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels took control of the city.

Their presence is not limited to the streets; they invade neighborhoods and often break into homes, searching for wanted individuals or investigating suspicious activities.

Bukavu is one of the two major cities in the region that have fallen under the control of rebels opposing the Kinshasa government in recent weeks.

No Safety During Ramadan

In this city, Muslims are preparing to observe Ramadan under difficult conditions, forcing religious leaders to adjust prayer schedules to the security situation.

After scanning her neighborhood for a while, Amina Muarabo turns her gaze back inside the small warehouse, where a few kilograms of potatoes and bananas, purchased the day before, lie.

She prepares them for the next day’s iftar, saying, “I had to buy only a small quantity because food prices are rising in the market, and unemployment is making things worse. Everything feels complicated.”

Speaking to Radio France Internationale, she adds, “I hope everything turns out well in the end and that God helps us overcome this situation.”

For now, banks in the city remain closed, posing a major challenge for many Muslims who want to secure their family’s needs before Ramadan begins. However, security concerns are even more pressing.

Almost daily, the city records thefts and fatalities, and gunfire frequently echoes through the streets, increasing fear among those who have stayed behind. Many others have fled in search of safer refuge.

Prayer Schedules Adjusted

Due to the insecurity, Muslim religious leaders have decided to modify prayer schedules during Ramadan.

Sheikh Yassin Kabongo Mukoko, president of the Religious Council of the Muslim Community in Bukavu, states, “For the safety of our believers and to prevent them from wandering at night, we have decided to cancel Tarawih prayers this year.”

He adds, “We have also decided to combine Maghrib and Isha prayers so that everyone can return home earlier.” This change applies to those living near the mosque, while those residing further away are encouraged to pray at home.

The M23 rebels seized Bukavu over a week ago, following their takeover of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province and the main city in the east of the country, late last month.

For decades, eastern Congo has faced continuous conflicts, but tensions have escalated further with the rebels’ expansion, as they now control vast areas in both provinces.

Controlling Bukavu and Goma provides M23 with a strategic foothold in this mineral-rich region, as the rebel group resurfaced in late 2021.