The Governor of Western Province, Francois Habitegeko has said that the Congolese government has the responsibility to protect Rwandans living in Goma and their property.

This followed violent protests staged on Wednesday, June 15, by mobs from the Democratic Republic of Congo, mainly in the border town of Goma, who attacked the Rwandan border and pelted stones across the border area.

The same mob, who according to reports was mobilized by political leaders in the neighbouring country, vandalized businesses belonging to Rwandans living in Goma town.

The protestors were mobilized to attack Rwanda chanting accusations that the latter was supporting M23, a Congolese rebel group that has recently gained ground against the DR Congo military and its allies.

They pelted stones across the border as Rwandan security personnel stood guard on the Rwandan side, using anti-riot shields to fend off the hail of stones that were being thrown from across.

"It is the responsibility of DR Congo authorities to ensure that people in their country are secure with their property,” said the Governor.

He said that Rwanda has kept the border open and does not deny anybody coming on their side. "But if Congolese authorities choose to deny entry in their country it’s their business not our business.”

Habitegeko said that the situation in Western Province is calm, urging citizens not to panic.

"But, of course, across the border Congolese leaders have called on the population to riot and we have seen that they have come even close to our borders. But our security personnel are alert and Rwandans and foreigners should have nothing to worry about,” he said.

He however urged Rwandans to be cautious about their lives, especially those crossing into Goma, because once they cross, their safety cannot be guaranteed by Rwandan authorities.

Thousands of Rwandans and Congolese cross either side of the border every day to mostly trade.

However, according to Jean Marie Mugabo who works from Rubavu cross border market, things were different on Wednesday morning.

He says Congolese were angrily trying to enter the Rwandan territory, hurling insults at Rwandan security personnel.

"They wanted to force themselves across the border and there are shops of our compatriots in Goma that were vandalized,” he said.

Congolese weigh in

Kakule Nziramba, 40, is a Congolese national living with disability and operates a cart that he uses to ferry goods across the border, at the area commonly known as Petite Barrierre.

It’s the business he started since Covid-19 preventive measures eased.

"I do not know much about what is going on and I am not concerned. All we need is harmony so that we can make our livelihood…for me, this border is my garden where I get what to eat,” he said.

Congolese officials have since the resurgence of the offensive by M23 accused Rwanda of backing the group. In fact, they said that Rwandan soldiers were the ones fighting against them.

Reports from DR Congo indicated on Wednesday that a spokesperson for the UN peacekeeping mission stressed that there was no proof of any presence of Rwandan troops in the neighbouring country.

DR Congo forces, who are now fighting alongside members of Rwandan terrorist group FDLR, have on at least three occasions in the past few months shelled rockets on Rwandan territory, injuring people and destroying property.