A bedlam of rowdy, hooting motorcycles that serve as city taxis indicates a ‘back-to-bisiness,’ atmosphere in Goma.
Could this be a new dawn for the war-torn Eastern DR Congo?
Fighting groups are setting up a new government in Goma and surrounding areas.
The so-called ‘Rebels,’ militian who are fighting in the Eastern Provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, have started to set up new leaders in their recently annexed and acquired territories.
Reports from the residents of the city of Goma in the North Kivu Province of the Eastern DR Congo are to the effect that the rebel groups are planting new government officials to rule over the precincts.
The coalition between the Congo River Alliance (AFC) and the March 23 who have seized the entire eastern region of DRC, are establishing their own administration with some government entities now resuming services.
In Goma, Julien Katembo has just been appointed to officially serve as the new mayor of the City.
As it happens, the coalition of the AFC and M23 seems to be now faced with the task of overseeing initiatives that are aimed at restoring a semblance of normality in Goma.
Schools have also been opening up for classes over a week ago, with gunshots echoes reducing with each passing day.
Despite ongoing negative reports against them, the rebel groups are working to restore community sanitation projects as well as reviving the immigration services. This means people can now be issued with traveling documents.
With passports becoming available, it is also becoming clear that both local and foreign residents will no longer be marooned in Eastern Congo.
In the transport sector, there are noticeable improvements in road safety precautions and related highway security even though there are claims that uncertainty persists in some neighbourhoods, especially in areas where the Wazalendo militia are believed to be taking refuge.