Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is witnessing a troubling trend as farmers return to their land, only to find it now under rebel control. This return to the war-torn region is being met with an array of challenges, as years of violence and ongoing instability continue to disrupt the lives of local communities.
The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, has made unprecedented territorial advances in the North and South Kivu provinces over the past several months. This offensive has displaced 1.2 million people, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). However, despite the risks, an estimated 1.8 million people—around 350,000 households—have returned to their homes, forced to do so after M23 dismantled displacement camps and seized Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, earlier this year.
One of those who has returned is a farmer from Kibumba, a town known for its fertile land and vital agricultural output. Kibumba, located about 25 kilometers north of Goma, produces a range of crops, including cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, and beets, all of which supply Goma and neighboring towns. The fertile land has made Kibumba an essential food source for much of eastern Congo.
However, in 2022, as violence escalated in the area, the farmer, like thousands of others, fled to a safer village closer to Goma. Upon returning in recent months, the farmer found his fields occupied by another family, who had been cultivating his land during his absence. In order to reclaim his harvest, he had to pay the new occupiers \$600.
“We endured three years of hardship, living in poor conditions,” the farmer explained. “There were days when we went without food.” Now, back with his wife and children, he is struggling to re-establish his farming business and has borrowed money from relatives to get back on his feet.
According to government and U.N. figures, more than 60,000 people fled Kibumba during the fighting, but around 59,700 have returned. However, their return has not been without difficulties. Many homes were destroyed by bombings, and returnees face the challenge of not having seeds or resources to replant their crops.
Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, highlighted the precarious situation for these returnees. Despite their relief at returning home, many have faced forced departures from displacement camps with little time to prepare. “They were given only 48 to 72 hours to return to their homes,” Egeland said. “It wasn’t a voluntary decision.”
Egeland also expressed concerns over unresolved land disputes, which could escalate tensions between returnees and those who have taken over their land. These disputes, if not properly managed, could fuel further conflict in an already unstable region.
While the return of farmers to their land marks a glimmer of hope in an otherwise grim situation, experts warn that without a comprehensive solution to address land rights and provide much-needed aid, the region may continue to face instability. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo underscores the urgent need for sustained international support to help rebuild the lives of displaced communities and resolve long-standing conflicts.