NORTHERN PROVINCE

GISENYI—Current tension and violence between rebels loyal to dissident general Laurent Nkunda and Congolese Armed Forces that erupted again this weekend after a September 6 ceasefire was breached has affected the economy in neighbouring Gisenyi.

Clashes sparked again in the village of Katali near Sake, the last major town before the provincial capital of Goma.

Gisenyi, known primarily as a tourist destination on the shores of Lake Kivu is currently facing decline in business activities due to the fact that most dealers fear violence crossing the border.

According to Fred Nizeyimana, one prominent business man in Gisenyi, the current conflict has become a source of fear for carrying out normal business with the neighboring town of Goma.

"Some of the reasons that have stopped us from crossing the border to Goma for usual business transactions are mostly due to Nkunda’s current push on government forces who is reportedly pushing towards Goma,” Nizeyimana said.

"There is also the current hatred that Congolese have adopted towards Rwanda which has resulted in the disappearance of many Rwandans from Goma who have been arrested and detained for long times.”

Jean de Due Muhawenimana a recently-freed Rwandan who had been detained in Goma said that the hatred of Congolese to Rwandan was strongly linked to General Nkunda’s ethnicity.

"They always asked us if there were any Tutsis among us but we insisted on all being Rwandans. They always told us Tutsis were destabilising their country,” he said.

In spite of the fear however, many people especially women and children are still crossing the border in big numbers on foot to Goma to buy foodstuffs and other household commodities.

"We have done this business for years. We cross to Goma to buy tomatoes, maize flower and other food to sell here in Gisenyi,” said Francoise Mukandori.

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