From the University of Bukavu to flee for his life in the Congo

In the midst of war and tension, which has already left 8,500 dead according to the Congolese government, we talked with one of the thousands of refugees who have had to flee from the bombs and massacres. Is called Nathalie Vumiliahas five children and is a member of the Women and Law Association, based in Belgium, and professor at the Law Faculty of the Catholic University of Bukavu. In addition, she is a consultant and specialist in gender issues, family mediation, women’s rights.

After the invasion of the M-23, Nathalie fled with her husband and her children, three boys and two girls between 7 and 19, for fear of killings. Escaping in a hurry by car, they were sheltered in spark plug, in neighboring Burundi, where they now live in a rented house.

Nathalie dedicated her life to the defense of the rights of women and the most vulnerable people, such as children. «He had political ambitions: get women to be represented in the National Assembly of the Congo. But, before presenting the candidacies, one of my children was kidnapped by a band and we had to pay about $ 3,000 (2,750 euros) for the rescue, ”he explains on the phone.

Now, university life has stopped in Bukavu. «Many students and teachers have fled from war and others try to overcome shock in their homes. Some have joined rebel movements due to survival instinct. In addition, we are not receiving our salaries, ”says Nathalie worried.

Bukavu’s flight

Nathalie and his family left Bukavu a few days before the entrance of M-23. «As a rubber had already fallen to the rebels, we had to evacuate the children before the situation worse. We leave by car and we only take some essential items. The children were very frustrated and we had to call a psychologist, ”he recalls.

«Our life in Burundi is not so simple. My husband lost his job when Trump closed the USAID (acronym for the United States agency for international aid). I don’t have a job now. Our few savings only help us, but we have faith in God. Things will improve and open doors. In addition, we have welcomed orphaned children and in the rented house we are already eleven people, ”he explains, revealing his solidarity spirit.

Now, Nathalie and his family run the risk of ending with their other 40,000 compatriots in a UNCur refugee camp, under the UN. “We know that life there is hard, we are afraid, but you never know if we will end there,” he says sorry.

Life as exiles has forced them to live the same routine every day. “In the early morning, from six o’clock, we take the child to school, we dedicate some time to reading, eat and we almost always have the same, bears with sweet potatoes, and we follow the news about what happens in Bukavu,” he says. “We leave little home because we don’t know the Kirundi language,” he adds.

This mother is very clear about the causes of a conflict that lasts thirty years old and has caused more than six million dead. He points directly to the West: «It’s time to play clean with the Congolese people. Western powers must stop contributing to massacres. If our minerals want, they could access them through legal channels that respect human rights, ”he says. And puts the finger on the sore: «The same powers that vocife about respect for human rights are those that work together with armed groups. They must stop supporting the usurpation of blood minerals ».

“Peace is still possible”

Nathalie believes that, despite the current climate, “peace is still possible.” «War does not benefit victors or defeated, if there are. Some claims of armed movements can be founded and legitimate, but the way they are raised is not fair, ”he emphasizes.

Meanwhile, thousands of citizens know that their lives hang from a thread. “To hunger and the bullets of the rebels or of the loyal forces, now we must add the thousands of abandoned weapons that have remained in the hands of expressidiaries and civilians.” During the invasion of the M-23, both in rubber and in Bukavu there have been massive releases of hundreds of dangerous prisoners. Given the wave of robberies and violations, the civilian population has publicly executed some of these ex -so -called street.

Nathalie does not want to shave the behavior of those who have decided to make their bags and flee from the war. For her, the question is clear: «If youth Congolese can find a better life elsewhere, I encourage you to leave. I don’t see it as a brain leak. The context of our country is not hopeful for the future of our children. If you can find a better place, they must go there and return to contribute to the development of the country ».