As M23 rebels allegedly massacre young people, fear spreads through Kasika in the Democratic Republic of Congo
A tragic incident unfolded in the Congolese neighbourhood of Kasika, Goma, on 22 February 2025, where as many as 22 people, mostly young men, are believed to have been killed by the M23 rebel group. Freddy Mukuza, a 31-year-old father, was among the victims. His last moments were witnessed by a friend who recalls that M23 fighters prevented anyone from approaching Freddy as he died, issuing threats to anyone who dared intervene.
The violence took place just days after the M23 had seized control of Goma, marking a brutal escalation in the rebel group’s activities. While local officials have not released an official death toll, residents and sources in the area are calling the killings a massacre, with many fearing further retribution.
The M23’s grip over Goma is ironclad, and reports of mass killings, forced recruitment, and intimidation have been mounting since their advance. Freddy Mukuza, a motorbike driver, activist, and rapper, had been struggling to survive before his death. His music, which highlighted the dire conditions in DR Congo, resonates with many who live under the shadow of constant violence.
Locals living in the aftermath of the killings have shared harrowing accounts of the day’s events, some revealing that civilians, including a 13-year-old boy and several vendors, were mercilessly targeted and killed. The shooting spree by the rebels left many in fear for their lives, as some survivors, including children, were forcibly recruited into the rebel ranks.
Despite evidence surfacing through shaky video footage, no formal investigation is underway, and the M23 has not responded to requests for comment. As the violence continues, residents like Justin, a close friend of Freddy, live in constant fear, with some even stopping their children from attending school, fearing they may be forcibly taken by the rebels. The once vibrant Kasika neighbourhood is now gripped by terror, as many try to avoid drawing attention and stay home after dark.
In an unsettling twist, the M23 has expanded its control beyond Goma, capturing Bukavu and threatening to move further west. While the rebels claim to be liberators, many local residents view their actions as a continuation of a brutal occupation that only worsens the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The unrest in Goma and its surrounding areas is only a small part of the larger conflict that has plagued the DR Congo for decades, leaving millions of civilians at the mercy of armed groups like the M23. As the country faces mounting violence, many wonder whether peace can ever be achieved.
