New Year in Goma Marked by Hope and Uncertainty

As the world prepares to ring in the New Year, Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is overwhelmed by the effects of ongoing conflict, with residents facing fear, scarcity, and a bleak outlook for the future.

While the world is set to celebrate the dawn of 2025, Goma’s streets tell a different story. The vibrant central market, once filled with colorful stalls and bustling shoppers, now stands almost desolate. Vendors watch helplessly as their goods remain unsold, and residents walk past, uncertain of their future. The fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels has cast a dark cloud over what should be a season of joy. For many in Goma, the idea of celebrating is a distant dream.

Josephine Kahindo, a mother of four, captures the sentiment: “The holidays are here, but we haven’t seen anything. There’s no food, no clothes for the children, just a long wait with no answers.” This hopelessness is reflected in the local economy, where business activities have ground to a halt. Even basic supplies are becoming scarce, and prices continue to rise. Economics professor Deogracias Bengehya highlights the severe consequences: “The law of supply and demand shows that as prices soar, people’s ability to buy decreases.”

As we approach 2025, the people of Goma are holding onto one hope: peace. Despite the bleak situation, international voices like U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken have called for an end to the violence. But will this plea be heard? As Goma’s residents prepare for a New Year filled with uncertainty, what can be done to bring hope and stability to the region? Share your thoughts—can peace truly come to Goma in 2025?

Source:Africa News