I swear, this is insane. Every day, new reports come in about the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and it just feels like those in power either don’t care or are completely useless. The country is crumbling—people are dying, soldiers are being executed, and cities are falling to rebels—and yet, all I see from President Félix Tshisekedi and the so-called leadership is either silence or actions that make things worse.
The Soldiers: Does Tshisekedi Have a Backup Plan?
Let's talk about the Congolese army. We all know it’s been weak for years—poorly trained, poorly paid, and full of corruption. But now, after M23 took Goma and Bukavu, things have gone from bad to worse.
Over 300 Congolese soldiers were put on trial, and more than 260 received the death penalty for crimes like desertion, rape, and murder. (Reuters)
During a chaotic retreat from the rebels, some soldiers reportedly fired on civilians instead of protecting them. (The Guardian)
And look, I’m not excusing the crimes these soldiers committed—rape and murder are inexcusable. But does Tshisekedi realize that he’s executing or imprisoning his own army while the enemy keeps advancing?
Who is going to fight M23? Who is going to take back Goma and Bukavu? If soldiers are deserting, running away, and even rebelling, shouldn’t the government be asking why? Instead, it’s like they think punishing them will magically fix everything. It won’t. If you remove soldiers without a backup plan, you’re basically handing the rebels the country on a silver platter.
The Mayor: They Have Money, But They Do Nothing
And then we have the mayor of Bukavu. This mayor is sitting in power while the citiy is burning. But instead of protecting the most vulnerable—street kids who have nowhere to go, orphans left behind by war—he send out a document telling them to leave or face death.
Authorities in Goma reportedly issued a warning to street children to "disappear" from the streets, despite the rising threats from M23.
Instead of setting up shelters or calling on non-profits for help, they are abandoning these children to war. (The Guardian)
But here’s the thing that really gets to me: these mayors have money. They have the resources to do something. Even if they didn’t, they could at least call on NGOs, international organizations, or even Congolese people abroad to help. But no. The ones who have the power to fix things refuse to lift a finger, while ordinary Congolese citizens overseas are the ones trying to help.
M23 is Targeting Street Kids, and No One Cares
While the leadership sits on their hands, M23 is actively targeting street kids. Reports indicate that the rebels are hunting down children who were left behind while others fled.
M23 has been accused of using child soldiers in the past, and now there are fears they are forcibly recruiting abandoned children.
Street children in Goma and Bukavu are particularly vulnerable as authorities have ordered them to "disappear." (The Guardian)
Think about it: these kids have already lost their families, their homes, everything. And instead of being protected, they’re now being kidnapped or killed by armed rebels.
This is Not Leadership
A good president doesn’t let his country be overrun by rebels while executing his own soldiers without a plan. A good mayor doesn’t send official documents telling street kids to “go away or die.” A good government doesn’t sit back and let the Congolese people abroad do all the work while they hoard money and resources.
So no, Tshisekedi is not a good president. The mayor of Bukavu is not a good leader. And unless something changes, unless people in power actually start doing their jobs, Congo will keep falling apart.
And the worst part? The ones who suffer the most aren’t the politicians, the wealthy, or those with connections. It’s the ordinary people—the children, the displaced families, the ones who have no way to escape.
Congo is burning, and the leadership is standing there, watching.🇨🇩🩸
Sources:
1. Congo army desertion trials spotlight a force in tatters
2. Bukavu hospital patients tell of being shot in chaos of Congolese withdrawal
3. Deadly blasts hit M23 rebel rally in captured DRC city of Bukavu
70 Christians Killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Catholic Weekly
https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/70-christians-killed-in-congo/
4. 70 Christians Decapitated in DR Congo by ISIS-Aligned Militants
Crux
https://cruxnow.com/africa/2023/02/70-christians-decapitated-in-dr-congo-by-isis-aligned-militants/
5. Children, Women, Elderly Among 70 Christians Massacred in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Catholic Herald
https://catholicherald.co.uk/children-women-elderly-among-70-christians-massacred-in-democratic-republic-of-congo/
6. Violence Against Street Children in DR Congo
World Organisation Against Torture
https://www.omct.org/en/resources/news/violence-against-street-children-in-dr-congo
As of January 2023, Zénon Karumba serves as the mayor of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Prior to him, Bilubi Ulengabo Méschac held the position. Recent reports indicate that the M23 rebels have seized control of Bukavu and plan to appoint their own mayor for the city.
7. https://www.omct.org/en/resources/news/violence-against-street-children-in-dr-congo
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