As DR Congo shells into Rwanda, businesses and schools in the region close

As fierce violence broke out across the border in Goma, DR Congo, schools and businesses in Rubavu town were ordered to temporarily close, and students were sent home.

Businesses were forced to temporarily close as sections of the genocidal FDLR militia and FARDC troops blasted into Rwanda during the fierce combat that started over the weekend and continued into the afternoon of Monday, January 27.

Many government forces handed down weapons in the early hours of Monday, with some even escaping into Rwanda for safety, hours after the M23 rebel group declared it had taken control of Goma.

Many individuals have subsequently fled to Rwanda, including UN employees and their families, and the borders are still open.

Rwanda Defense Force Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga said the Congolese army, assisted by the murderous FDLR troops in Goma, shot many bombs into Rubavu District.

As people of Rubavu town sought safety, businesses, eateries, and hospitality services were interrupted.

One of the few cab drivers who is still working, Justin Nzabonimpa, explained the tumultuous scenes: “It’s a volatile scenario. Some are escaping to places like Rutsiro and Musanze.

“We are doing our best to assist those stranded and respond to emergency situations.”

Bullets hit the campus of the University of Tourism, Technology, and Business Studies (UTB) in Rubavu, sending students home.

Students from secondary schools were also observed returning home.

In Busasamana Sector, Yvonne Dushimimana, a student at Gisenyi Adventist Secondary School (GASS), stated, “We are waiting for motorcycles to take us home.”

After the rebels took control of many cities and towns last week and killed Peter Cirimwami, the military governor of North Kivu, the fighting intensified.

Since then, the government coalition has suffered additional losses, including the deaths of numerous members, including the UN-sanctioned FDLR terrorist group founded by extremists connected to the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi, which killed over a million people, and the FDLR top commander “Maj Gen” Pacifique Ntawunguka, also known as Omega.

Prior to capturing the city of Goma Friday night, the M23 had just taken control of the villages of Minova in South Kivu and Masisi in North Kivu.

The Congolese government has rejected any chance of holding peace negotiations with the rebels, labeling them a terrorist outfit, while the rebels insist on having direct discussions with them. The Congolese government is seeking a military option after regional efforts to settle the conflict democratically failed.