AFRICA/DR CONGO - Chaplain and nuns prevent Bukavu prison from burning down completely

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - "It is thanks to the chaplain and some nuns that the prison was not completely burned down," reports a source from the local Church in Bukavu, the capital of the Congolese province of South Kivu, which fell into the hands of the M23 militias on February 16 (see Fides, 17/2/2025).
"On Saturday, February 15, as the M23 approached, the city was looted by fleeing FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) soldiers, pro-government Wazalendo militiamen and local youth," reports the source, who asked not to be identified. "The prison was also the target of looting, although it is unclear whether it was by outsiders and/or by the inmates themselves, who set fire to the prison before escaping. Only the intervention of the chaplain, assisted by some nuns, prevented the flames from completely destroying the prison. The prison chapel was also looted, but the priest managed to prevent its complete destruction."
Our source reports that "Bukavu is coming back to life. People have taken to the streets to clear away the garbage left by the looting of the past few days. Business has resumed and schools are expected to reopen next Monday. It is not known when or if the banks will reopen, we are awaiting instructions from Kinshasa. It is hoped that they will be able to reopen soon, as they are essential for trade."
"We are also awaiting the instructions that the 'new authorities' intend to give the population in the next few days," the source continued.
"The city now seems safe. The clashes and looting have stopped.
"The M23 militiamen have little presence in Bukavu; most of their troops are on their way to Uvira, which will probably fall today. The regular FARDC soldiers left the city yesterday. Only the "Wazalendo fighters, who in recent days clashed with the FARDC soldiers who asked them to hand over their weapons, remain in Uvira (see Fides, 19/2/2025)."
"Another direction of march for the M23 is west, towards Urega, where gold has been mined since colonial times. They are still about 80 kilometers from the gold mines, but it is only a matter of time before this area also falls into their hands," concludes the Fides source.
Meanwhile, in North Kivu, the M23 is advancing towards Butembo, another important center of the province after Goma, the capital captured at the end of January. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 20/2/2025)

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