The final moments of Freddy Mukuza were witnessed by a friend who stood helplessly 50m (160 ft) away. When he heard that Freddy had been shot by M23 rebels, he and others rushed to the scene in Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The friend, known as Justin, shared that when they arrived, they found Freddy still breathing but were not allowed to take him away by the M23. Despite their insistence, the rebels fired bullets into the ground to deter them from approaching. They had to keep their distance as Freddy, 31, took his last breath. Only then did the M23 allow them to take away his body.
Prior to the killing, three pick-up trucks full of rebel fighters had come to Freddy’s neighborhood – Kasika. This incident occurred around 15:00 on Saturday, 22 February, almost a month after the rebel group had captured Goma. Between 17 and 22 people, mostly young men, were killed within an hour or so, according to sources who chose to remain anonymous for their safety.
The M23 did not respond to allegations of carrying out a mass killing in the neighborhood, and officials in Kasika have not released a death toll. There is little to no chance of an independent criminal investigation into what residents are calling a massacre. Locals claim that the M23 is the only armed group that can freely operate and kill in broad daylight in Goma.
Since taking control of the city at the end of January, the rebels have had absolute authority. They have been accused of committing atrocities in other regions as well. The heavily armed rebels are backed by neighboring Rwanda, as stated by the UN and the US, although Rwanda denies this claim. It is believed that the M23 targeted Kasika due to a former Congolese army base in the area.
Freddy Mukuza, a civilian and father of two, was a motorbike taxi driver trying to make ends meet. He was also an activist and songwriter who rapped about the issues in his country, a nation rich in minerals yet with some of the poorest people in the world. DR Congo is known for corruption, instability, and conflict dating back 30 years. Sexual violence is rampant, and the government is perceived as weak at best. Freddy had plenty of material to rap about, including a song called “Au Secours” (Help in French) that questioned the authorities’ inaction towards the people’s suffering.
On the day of his death, Freddy was moving to a new rented home in Kasika, with his family helping him settle in. When the shooting started, his in-laws were killed by the M23 after being seen trying to take shelter. Since then, Justin, Freddy’s friend, has been living in fear and isolation, afraid that his children may be forcibly recruited by the rebels. He believes that staying alive is more important than anything else.
Justin shares his story to ensure that Freddy Mukuza is not forgotten and to shed light on the harsh reality of life and death under the M23 regime in Kasika. The neighborhood has been enveloped in fear since the killings, with residents living in constant terror and silence, unable to speak out against the oppressive rule. Justin hopes that by speaking out, the outside world will become aware of the atrocities committed by the M23 in Kasika. Local journalists did not cover the story, but a shaky video was shared on social media the next day, 23 February, showing what appears to be 10 bodies dumped in an unfinished building. It is unclear if any of the victims were soldiers, as none were in uniform or had weapons. The video, filmed in Kasika, sparked shock and spread beyond the neighborhood, confirming the authenticity of the footage. Among the victims were a boy aged 13-14 who was taken away to his death, a young woman selling milk, and a street vendor in his twenties. The rebels indiscriminately shot and killed civilians, with few daring to speak out or hold proper funerals. The M23 rebels have instilled fear and silence in Goma, forcing residents to live in terror. Denis Baeni, a primary school teacher, was among the civilians executed by the rebels, leaving behind two children. The danger extends beyond death, as locals also face the threat of being recruited to fight against their will. A las 18:00 está oscuro, y pueden llevarte muy fácilmente.
Corneille Nangaa le dijo a la BBC que no sabía nada sobre los abusos pasados que se dice que el M23 cometió [AFP]
Mientras las familias en Kasika se ven obligadas a sofocar su dolor, el M23 continúa su barrido por el este del Congo.
Después de Goma, tomaron el control de la ciudad de Bukavu a mediados de febrero. Han amenazado con llegar hasta la capital, Kinshasa, a 1.600 km de distancia.
Afirman que son revolucionarios que luchan contra un estado fallido y defienden los derechos de la minoría tutsi.
Los grupos de derechos humanos pintan una imagen muy diferente.
Han acusado al grupo armado de una serie de abusos desde su fundación en 2012, incluyendo bombardeos sistemáticos de áreas civiles, violaciones en grupo y “ejecuciones sumarias”. Las acusaciones han sido documentadas en una serie de informes.
En una reciente entrevista con la BBC, le pregunté al líder rebelde, Corneille Nangaa, por una respuesta. Encabeza una coalición de partidos políticos y milicias, llamada la Alianza del Río Congo, que incluye al M23.
“No vi los informes”, dijo. “No puedo responder por el informe que no leí”. También dijo que no le preocupaban las acusaciones.
Al preguntarle por qué no había leído los informes, dijo: “Dame uno, lo leeré”.
Nangaa, ex jefe de la comisión electoral de la RD del Congo, alterna entre uniformes de combate y trajes elegantes.
Se le presenta como el rostro desarmado e inofensivo de los rebeldes, pero el gobierno congoleño ofrece una recompensa de $5 millones (£4 millones) por información que conduzca a su arresto.
Los rebeldes no son los únicos con un historial de brutalidad. Lo mismo se aplica al ejército congoleño y a muchos de los otros grupos armados en el este de la RD del Congo.
Pero el M23 es ahora la única autoridad en partes del este, y millones de congoleños están a su merced.
Mientras hablábamos con un residente de Kasika, su esposa lo llamó, pidiéndole que viniera rápidamente a recoger a su hijo de ocho años del colegio.
El pánico se estaba extendiendo debido a informes de que el M23 estaba sacando a los niños de sus aulas.
Llevó a su hijo a casa de manera segura pero teme por el futuro.
“Todos estamos traumatizados. Dijeron que vinieron a liberarnos”, dijo. “Pero ahora es como si nos tomaran como rehenes”.
Reportando adicionalmente desde la BBC Wietske Burema.
[BBC]
Más sobre el conflicto en la RD del Congo:
[Getty Images/BBC]
Visita BBCAfrica.com para más noticias del continente africano.
Síguenos en Twitter @BBCAfrica, en Facebook en BBC Africa o en Instagram en bbcafrica
Podcasts de la BBC Africa
“