Fishermen of Lake Kivu: An alarming situation

For eight months, the situation of fishermen on Lake Kivu has deteriorated in a worrying manner. Indeed, they regularly suffer attacks while they are practicing their night fishing activity. These violent and recurring attacks have caused many victims, plunging the fishermen into a situation of great vulnerability.

A heavy human toll in nine months

In the space of nine months, no fewer than 33 Congolese fishermen have lost their lives in attacks on Lake Kivu, while 56 others have been seriously injured. These attacks mainly take place during night fishing activities, a time when attacks are particularly likely. According to the testimonies collected, the attackers were soldiers suspected of belonging to the Rwandan naval force.

Frightening testimonies

Local fishermen live in constant fear. Salomon, a fisherman who has narrowly escaped four attacks, describes the atrocious conditions in which these attacks occur:
“Sometimes nine of them come in a pirogue and start throwing stones at us. We are forced to jump into the water to save our lives. In the meantime, they pick up our belongings and take them away. If you don’t jump into the water, they kill you and take everything,” Salomon says. Unfortunately, during these attacks, he lost his fishing nets and pirogue, depriving him of his main means of subsistence.

Fishermen demand protection from authorities

Faced with the scale of this violence, the fishing associations of Lake Kivu have mobilized to demand urgent intervention from the provincial authorities. They are calling for the implementation of security measures to protect fishermen and allow them to continue their activity in safe conditions.

Provincial MP Jackson Kalimba expressed his deep concern about this alarming situation:
“As elected representatives of the people, we have been deeply concerned by these events. We have called on provincial and national authorities to strengthen security on Lake Kivu so that fishermen are protected by the Congolese state.”

Authorities react

During a popular meeting, the governor of South Kivu, Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, announced a series of measures to improve security on Lake Kivu. Among these measures is the upcoming installation of surveillance cameras on the lake to better monitor risk areas. In parallel, an investigation is underway to formally identify the perpetrators of these repeated attacks.

A livelihood issue for local communities

Lake Kivu is a vital resource for many families in the region. Home to a wide variety of fish species, the lake not only provides food for local populations, but also serves as a major source of food for surrounding markets. The impact of this violence on fisheries could therefore have dramatic repercussions on the local economy and the food security of local communities.

Conclusion

The situation of fishermen on Lake Kivu illustrates a complex reality where insecurity threatens not only human lives, but also the livelihoods of thousands of families. The actions announced by the authorities, such as the installation of surveillance cameras, represent a first step in the fight against this violence. However, protecting fishermen and solving this problem in a sustainable way requires concerted, long-term efforts to ensure security on Lake Kivu.