All civil servants who have not returned to Beni are on technical leave. This is the decision of Major General Kakule Somo, military governor of North Kivu province. (see statement in French below)

“All executives and agents of the Public Services of the Province of North Kivu not yet present in Beni, provisional capital of the Province of North Kivu, are automatically placed on technical leave for reasons of force majeure,” states his circular note dated March 31, 2024.
Several agents of the provincial administration were unable to leave the city of Goma and stayed with their families. Many found it difficult to leave, while others were simply forbidden to leave the territory occupied by the M23.

The provincial authority states that this is part of the “rationalization of personnel management and in view of the budgetary constraints inherent in the occupation of a large part of North Kivu Province by the RDF/AFC-M23”. This situation affects many families who depend on these payments to meet their needs. This further accentuates the economic crisis in the city of Goma.

He reassures us, however, that the measure will be lifted as soon as Goma is once again under the control of the Congolese army. “As soon as the situation of force majeure referred to in this Circular Note is over, the technical leave will be automatically terminated”, the circular states.

Major General Evariste Kakule Somo, is the governor appointed to replace Major General Peter Cirimwami, who died in the last confrontations to push the M23 away from Goma. Appointed after the capture of Goma, he manages part of North Kivu province from the town of Beni.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma