Since Tuesday, April 8th, sporadic sounds of heavy and light weapons have been echoing around Goma, in the North Kivu province. According to resident testimonies, these detonations seem to originate from the Bushagara area, located in the Nyiragongo territory.
Currently, no authorities contacted by Radio Okapi can provide precise explanations for these events, which could indicate armed clashes. Some witnesses suggest that, following the capture of Goma last January, soldiers from the FARDC as well as local defense groups took refuge in Virunga National Park. These groups are reportedly sometimes in conflict with M23 rebels, which could shed light on the noises heard.
It is worth noting that since January 2025, the city of Goma and the Nyiragongo territory have been under the control of the M23/AFC rebellion, which benefits from the support of the Rwandan army.
With Okapi
