Things have been a little tense in Minembwe since we returned, as the area has been inundated with wave after wave of attacks by rebel groups. It appears to be coordinated by someone (?) with so many different rebel groups involved, even attacking together as one force. The army sits by and does nothing, so over the past couple of years a local self-defense force has been raised up. Though they repeatedly repel the rebels, it comes at a great cost. A lot of sadness shrouds the area as this truly local defense force has already buried many sons.
A rebel leader recently proclaimed that the people of this area would be eliminated this past Saturday (June 25), but that day came and went without a major offensive. We have heard many of these threats in the past, so we, along with everyone else, breathed a little easier until Tuesday morning when the fighting began in earnest. Many villagers had rushed off to bolster the local defense force, i.e. their fathers, brothers, and sons whom the government and the UN mistakenly call “rebels.” We heard the fighting from our house all day long. It was a bloody day for them as they lost seven men and had twelve injured.
To make matters worse, one rebel group, called M23, is still poised to take over a section of Northeastern DRC, particularly the city of Goma. Some people are saying that the M23 rebels, who are well trained and well equipped, are supported by Rwanda, so threats and tensions are increasing between the DRC and Rwanda.
The Wi-Fi relay system between the university and our house is busted, requiring us to walk to the university to get Wi-Fi (only a three minute walk). Unfortunately, you pretty much need to use the Wi-Fi before 6:45 AM to have any success. But, on the bright side, walking to the university at this early hour grants you a beautiful view of the rising sun.
