GOMA — Democratic Republic of the Congo President Joseph Kabila’s current visit to provincial capital Goma has been described by residents as a ‘serious effort’ and concern to end the current North Kivu conflicts that have forced thousands out of their homes.

The president’s current visit to Goma, which began on October 14, comes shortly after his last month’s trip to the area, where he promised refugees in Mugunga camp that soon the war would be over.

North Kivu authorities find Kabila’s continuous visits and stay in the region a sign of his willingness to restore peace in the area. According to Fera Rutayikirwa, the province’s vice-governor, Kabila’s ‘regular concern’ about the current situation in the north Kivu province brings hope to end the conflict.

"His continuous visits show he is concerned about the problems and brings hope to people of North Kivu that he is looking for any possible way to end the conflict,” Rutayikirwa said. 

Most residents see Kabila’s visit as determination and a sign of encouragement to his troops to fight General Laurent Nkunda and are eagerly waiting for his remarks.

Although the current conflict has created fear amongst residents in Goma, due to speculations of Nkunda’s goals, the situation in town is still calm, with business going on as usual.

The increasing chaos in the region has however resulted into shortages in foodstuffs, which has in turn resulted into price increases in both Gisenyi and Goma.

And traders are not optimistic about the future.

"The situation is getting worse to the extent that people have resorted to buying other imported foodstuffs such as rice.

The prices are extraordinarily increasing due to the fact that our supply from rural areas in the north have been cut off,” says trader Claude Rusasi.

Some of the commodities whose prices have increased include maize flour, bean, millet and cassava flour, all brought into Goma and Gisenyi from districts of North Kivu province.

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