New Year celebrations in DRC marked by uncertainty

As the world looks forward to celebrating the arrival of 2025, a cloud of sadness and uncertainty hangs over Goma, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The ongoing conflict that has plagued the region for months has overshadowed the usual festive atmosphere, leaving residents with little to celebrate and dim hopes for a better future.

Normally a bustling hub of activity, the central market of Goma is now eerily quiet. The vibrant stalls that would usually be filled with goods in preparation for the New Year are almost empty. Vendors stand disheartened as customers are few and far between. The city, under threat from the violent clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group, has become a place of fear, uncertainty, and distress for its inhabitants.

Josephine Kahindo, a mother of four, articulates the struggle of trying to celebrate amidst war and deprivation. “The holidays are here, but we haven’t seen anything,” she says. “A holiday during the war, a holiday with many problems. We don’t know what our children will eat or wear. We just watch other people pass by, but we don’t know anything about the holidays.” Her words capture the reality for many families in Goma who are facing an incredibly difficult holiday season.

The impact of the ongoing conflict is widespread, affecting the local economy in devastating ways. Businesses have come to a standstill as the violence disrupts trade and local commerce. Investments in the region have been put on hold, and government tax revenues have plummeted, contributing to the worsening economic crisis. The loss of income is staggering, and experts warn that the long-term consequences for the region’s development could be severe.

Deogracias Bengehya, an economics professor, sheds light on the situation, explaining how the conflict has led to a shortage of essential goods. “These food products are becoming scarce,” he says. “With the law of supply and demand, the price trend is increasing, and when prices rise, purchasing power deteriorates and decreases. Not only that, but there are also people who rely on small businesses that are now struggling to survive.” The economic strain is pushing many families into even greater hardship, making it harder for them to meet basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter.

Despite the grim situation, the residents of Goma still hold on to a glimmer of hope: the hope for lasting peace. For many, the best gift they could receive as the New Year approaches is a resolution to the conflict and an end to the violence that has so deeply affected their lives. The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging both the M23 and Rwanda to cease hostilities and withdraw their forces from the DRC. In a phone call with both heads of state, Blinken called for an immediate end to the fighting in hopes of bringing stability to the region.

However, despite these international appeals for peace, uncertainty still looms over Goma. The conflict continues to disrupt daily life, with many residents feeling that peace is a distant dream. As the city prepares for the New Year, its people are facing a harsh reality marked by fear, scarcity, and a lack of basic necessities. The celebrations that once filled the streets of Goma with joy have been replaced with a somber atmosphere as families try to make do with what little they have.

As 2025 approaches, the people of Goma hold on to the hope that the coming year will bring peace and stability to their region. Their wishes are simple: a return to normalcy, the end of violence, and a future where they can rebuild their lives and their community. But for now, the uncertainty of the ongoing conflict casts a long shadow over the New Year celebrations, leaving many in Goma wondering what the future holds.

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