“The M23 rebels on Sunday captured Bukavu, a city of 1.3 million people, after seizing Goma, 101 kilometers (63 miles) to the north last month. At least 3,000 were reported killed and thousands displaced in the Goma fighting.
“The M23 is the most prominent of more than 100 armed groups vying for control of eastern DRC’s trillions of dollars in mineral wealth that’s critical for much of the world’s technology. The rebels are supported by about 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to UN experts.” – excerpt from CNN report
The Peace School has not been attacked, and remains closed for safety. M23 has control of the region, and there are reports of gunfire and bombs. Our security guards know they can leave any time they sense threat, but thus far they have stayed, and reported that military members of Congo’s army (FARDC) showed up and asked to be let into the campus. They scoured the campus and left without taking or damaging anything. I picture heavily armed soldiers staring at the school’s walls that are filled with art and messaging about nonviolence and how to practice peace and forgiveness, and my mind reels at the irony. My mind rages at the idea of this beloved place built for peace to be filled with the weapons of war. Some of the faces of the folks who built the Peace School, from my visit in 2018:
photo by Rebecca Snavely
Many people in the area have had homes and small businesses looted. Many have fled the gunshots and bombing.
We were sent this photo of two little boys, and the report that the Congo army had outfitted and armed them as soldiers. That they had been killed by M23 rebels. The UN is investigating the M23 summary execution of children in Bukavu (PBS Newshour story here).
My dam has broken, I texted Amani. I’d been able to hold back my sobbing, to try to focus on facts and calling representatives and what to do next. But now, when someone asks how my day is, my dam breaks. Walking around our local park, watching kids play and kick soccer balls and cry out to each other, my dam breaks.
My dam had been built of moments of dissociation, not allowing myself to picture the individual students and staff members and families I’ve met over the years in Congo. But knowing that soldiers’ boots had wandered the auditorium where our young peace ambassadors gather to read in the library, to recite poems and perform plays they have written, broke through my walls. Knowing that the playground and basketball court are no longer filled with the cheers of children broke into my resolve.
The tears that pushed through the dam are for Anouarite, who was orphaned and thus had no one send her to school (public education in DRC is *supposed* to be free, but often the teachers are not paid, and the families pay out of pocket). Anouarite was so determined to get an education that she joined Action Kivu’s adult women’s literacy class before the school was built. I was visiting during the final stages of construction in 2018, and noticed her amongst all the grown women in the adult literacy class, and learned that Anouarite was 10 years old. As Amani and I started to say our goodbyes, Anouarite stood up and addressed Amani. Barely four feet tall, she stood strong and confident and asked if she could attend the Congo Peace School when it opened in September. Amani said yes on the spot, as part of the criteria to select students is to find those most vulnerable, who have no one to look out for their education, as well as to find strong leadership potential.
As we celebrated her drive and determination to get an education, she interrupted: "But I have no uniform." Amani assured her that the uniform and supplies are part of the school, and she would be well cared for. (Anouarite’s story here)
Anouarite pictured in the right front of top photo amongst the women of the adult literacy class, and jumping into the aisle of her first grade class two months later. Photos by Rebecca Snavely
One of the women who make those school uniforms is Ernata, who has survived years of trauma and loss. After graduating our Sewing Workshop training, Ernata started her own sewing business and began training other women. I first met her in 2011, and remember how strong her clasp was on my hand as we posed for a photo. Every time I visit, I see her and am inspired by the life she has created for herself, her children, and those around her.
Ernata in her workshop, 2023. Photo by Rebecca Snavely
I think of Benjamin, and his smile and warmth. Benjamin is Amani’s right hand man who knows everyone in the community and arranges our home-visits, calling ahead to make sure folks are there so we can hear about their lives. Benjamin, who saw his brother killed in the previous Congo wars, and who is a skilled photographer, untrained but with a natural eye for composition.
Benjamin in front of the chalkboard in the Peace School’s computer lab, 2023. Photo by Rebecca Snavely
I think of Rosalie, one of our first graduating class, who is now in university and determined to do all she can for a peaceful world. I think of the looks in the eyes of the children as they practiced a new art form, and shaped new realities in clay, artists all.
***
Reports from the field
Monday, February 17:
· As M23 has conquered the city of Bukavu, today they moved southwards to Mumosho and Nyangezi Road #5, many DRC and Burundi troops had set up a road block in the Mumosho / Nyangezi area where heavy fighting took place with bombs and heavy artillery. Many people were forced to flee their homes in both Mumosho and Nyangezi. The M23 -RDF (Rwandan Defense Forces) coalition are visibly armed with advanced technology equipment and using drones for surveillance and localization.
· There are reports coming out of Burundi to be verified, that youth from Congo who moved there to study or fled there from the war are being gathered and commissioned into armed service to be sent back to fight in Congo.
Tuesday, February 18:
· The strategic city of Kamanyola on the border of Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda has just been conquered by the M23 rebel group. This will make it easier for Rwanda to deploy troops into Congo.
· Burundi’s army is withdrawing from Congo. Burundi has had troops in eastern DRC for a number of years to primarily fight rebels stationed in Congo and intent on conquering Burundi, but since the beginning of this escalation of war by M23, Burundi had been aiding DRC troops to fight M23. They appear to be withdrawing to defend their own country. (Reuters report here.)
· Cases of Mpox and cholera are on the rise in the camps of the people displaced, as they are denied access to clean water and supplies.
· The Red Cross is recovering bodies from Bukavu, the number is not yet fully counted but was at 26 on Tuesday the 18th. When M23 captured Bukavu, the FARDC had not engaged in battle, to spare civilian lives in the crowded city. (A video of the busy market area from my last visit in 2023.)
Thursday, February 20:
· M23 is approaching Uvira, which is located at the intersection between Bujumbura in Burundi, and the city of Kalemi. If they capture Uvira, it becomes very easy for the rebels to control the southern part of South Kivu, and also to advance to Kalemi, a strategic city as it opens the roads to Lubumbashi, the capital city of the mineral-rich province of Katanga.
***
It is difficult to express the depth to which the chaos and terror reaches. So many people want to help those who are suffering, to send food and supplies. Banks are not safe to wire to, and when we can, we will be wiring to our colleagues with mobile banking. But currently, in Goma and Bukavu and surrounding areas, it is not safe to go out to purchase the food / supplies and then distribute them. We have reports that M23 are targeting key civil society and NGO leaders, thus, it is not safe to gather in groups or move freely to buy and distribute food, even if there is food and supplies to distribute.
Your donations to Action Kivu will be life-saving. As soon as it is safe to do so, the school will resume classes and meals. The need for the greater community will have increased, as so many have been without access to food or work for so many days, and we will determine how we can help meet those needs. We partner with a trusted local NGO in Goma, and we will also be looking for ways to distribute food and supplies there as well.
When I wrote “my dam is breaking” and let the tear flow, I looked up what the word dam translates into in French, Congo’s language of colonization and the one used in education. It is barrage. My first understanding of barrage as we use it in English is actually flow, not stoppage. A barrage of, well, tears. A barrage of letters arrived at the capitol. Merriam Webster’s first definition of barrage as a noun is : a dam placed in a watercourse to increase the depth of water or to divert it into a channel for navigation or irrigation. Number 2 definition is what I’m more accustomed to using: a vigorous or rapid outpouring or projection of many things at once
a barrage of phone calls
unleashed a barrage of insults
an oratorical barrage
As I think about my personal barrage breaking, I want to embrace the version of barrage that is needed right now. An outpouring.
An outpouring of love and community building and raising awareness, please share the news stories about the war, and the individual stories of our beloved community in Congo.
An outpouring of calls to your representatives: that we are outraged this is happening. That they must pressure the presidents of Congo and Rwanda (and the other bordering countries) for an immediate ceasefire, and a transparent supply chain of minerals that are sourced in Congo (especially those needed for our technology and green energy future, cobalt, gold, and the three Ts: tin, tungsten, tantalum. (Read more about conflict minerals here.)
Corruption flourishes in darkness - the more people aware of what is happening in DRC and crying out for peace, the more pressure on the leaders of the countries to comply with the rule of law and justice. The leaders of DRC must also be held accountable for the corruption over the years, a rich country populated by people living in extreme poverty with little access to work, food, clean water, or education.
The CNN article linked above states it clearly: The M23 is the most prominent of more than 100 armed groups vying for control of eastern DRC’s trillions of dollars in mineral wealth that’s critical for much of the world’s technology. And the people of Congo suffer.
We are grateful for your attention on this barbaric war, rooted in greed and power, that is crushing the people of Congo. The need for the Congo Peace School’s teachings of nonviolence and peace within ourselves and within our communities and country are never more critical than now.
In solidarity,
Rebecca, with Amani’s reporting and review
Read more, including more history of the relationship between Rwanda and DRC: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgly1yrd9j3o
Sanctions from the U.S. Treasury on February 20, 2025
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Rebecca Snavely, Executive Director
Action Kivu