South Kivu loses 84 percent of income due to rebel occupation

Kinshasa, Apr 4 (Prensa Latina) South Kivu province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is currently losing about 84 percent of its income due to the occupation by the Congo River Alliance-the March 23 Movement (AFC/M23), authorities informed.

April 4, 2026
14:10

South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi revealed that although the province is not under rebel control, the loss of Bukavu, Walungu, part of Kalehe, and Kabare has resulted in the loss of about 84 percent of provincial income.

Purusi told reporters, “Before leaving Bukavu, our budget was 5.5 million US dollars, which is the budget approved by the province, including projections, totaling 66 million US dollars. Upon arriving in Uvira, we lost everything.”

The governor estimated that the AFC/M23 generated between 17 million and 20 million US dollars per month, and affirmed that all funds go to Rwanda.

He noted that among the rebels’ actions was the imposition of forced taxes on the population, many of whom lost their jobs and are living in deplorable conditions.

The AFC/M23 occupied Bukavu, the provincial capital, in February 2025.

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