Government of Goma in DRC is trying to take control over the local justice system

Government of Goma in Democratic Republic of Congo is trying to take control over the so-called local justice system that occurs in the city.

Since the state of siege brought military and police authorities into the administration, North Kivu’s provincial capital Goma operates under a grim mantra: “Every man for himself, God for all.” Some demand legal proceedings, while others deliver judgment without trial.

Authorities claim they are doing their best, investing actions aimed at reassuring the public. However, the population, enduring rampant atrocities such as burglaries, killings, gunfire, and harassment, remains unconvinced. To them, it seems their leaders are failing to address the crisis effectively.

One of the measures under the state of siege is the ban on motorcycle use after 6 p.m., which has been normalized to the point of permanence. This decision deprives Goma of an essential means of transport during late hours. Additionally, vehicle owners are now required to pay $20 to register cars with tinted windows—a burden for a population already suffocating under the occupation of March 23 Movement (M23) fighters.

Following the lacklustre outcomes of these measures, the “Safisha Muji wa Goma” operation emerged. Authorities parade alleged criminals and murderers in public as proof of progress. While these actions seem promising, many citizens remain sceptical, questioning the lack of public trials and the fate of those arrested.

Despite these efforts, the population continues to endure unimaginable hardships at the hands of armed bandits, making the city nearly unliveable. Frustrated and desperate, some residents have resorted to vigilante justice. For example, on the evening of Saturday, October 19, three individuals accused of robbing a shop were burned alive alongside their motorcycle—an outburst of public anger.

This was not an isolated incident. In previous weeks, other suspected criminals faced a similar fate near Afia Bora. While such actions are brutal, they reflect a population pushed to its breaking point, living in fear of criminals who operate with impunity, spreading terror and despair.

Authorities continue to urge citizens to refrain from vigilante justice and instead allow law enforcement to conduct proper investigations. But these calls often fall on deaf ears. When suspected criminals are caught by the public, security forces only arrive to extinguish the flames of charred bodies.

In these critical times, as Goma suffers relentless violence and grapples with the ongoing threat of M23 rebels, reportedly supported by Rwanda, the need for genuine collaboration and mutual trust has never been greater. Only through unified efforts can the city hope to emerge from the depths of its current crisis—a crisis that challenges the resilience for which North Kivu’s provincial capital has long been known.