Thirty-three Congolese fishermen were killed and 56 others injured in the space of 9 months while fishing at night on Lake Kivu in South Kivu province.
The Synergy of Lake Kivu Fishermen’s Associations delivered this report to the press on Thursday, September 5.
To prevent the death toll from rising, the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) has agreed to provide the security services with two speedboats to combat lake crime.
The promise to provide the FARDC and the PNC with these devices to ensure the safety of fishermen on Lake Kivu is the result of advocacy led by provincial deputy Jackson Kalimba:
« We were alerted by the fishermen operating on Lake Kivu. Their nets were stolen and the engines they use in their motorized pirogues were taken away by the Rwandan Navy. That is how we decided to advocate with the authorities..
At the last meeting of the Provincial Security Council, the Director of the DGM agreed to provide two speedboats to the security services on Lake Kivu to protect the fishermen.
For his part, the president of the fishermen on Lake Kivu asked the military and police authorities to instruct their marine force units to stop harassing its members.
/radiookapi.net
2024-09-06 07:21:13
#DRC #fishermen #killed #injured #months #Lake #Kivu
Table of Contents
Lake Kivu: A Hotbed of Fishing Wrangles and Violence
Lake Kivu, a vital waterbody shared by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has recently been plagued by a series of fishing-related violence and wrangles. The latest report from the Synergy of Lake Kivu Fishermen’s Associations reveals a disturbing trend, with 33 Congolese fishermen killed and 56 others injured in the space of just 9 months while fishing at night on Lake Kivu in South Kivu province [[1]].
This alarming situation has prompted the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) to agree to provide security services with two speedboats to combat lake crime, in a bid to prevent the death toll from rising [[1]]. The move comes as a result of advocacy led by provincial deputy Jackson Kalimba, who was alerted by fishermen operating on Lake Kivu about the theft of their nets and engines by the Rwandan Navy [[1]].
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. In 2011, two fishermen were allegedly killed at an island and their bodies dumped in Lake Kivu, highlighting the long-standing fishing wrangles in the region [[2]]. Similarly, in 2019, authorities in Rubavu District in Western Province issued a ban on any activity conducted in Lake Kivu, following the discovery of 16 dead bodies from a ferry [[3]].
The Lake Kivu fishing industry is not only vital to the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen and their families but also contributes significantly to the economies of Rwanda and the DRC. However, the ongoing violence and fishing wrangles pose a significant threat to the industry’s sustainability.
In a separate but related incident, 12 fishermen were killed and a dozen more went missing after deadly clashes on Lake Edward, which is shared by Uganda and the DRC [[4]]. The incident highlights the regional scope of the problem and the need for collective action to address the root causes of the violence.
The provision of speedboats by the DGM to combat lake crime is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the underlying issues driving the violence. This includes addressing the theft of fishing gear, resolving territorial disputes, and promoting dialogue between fishermen, authorities, and other stakeholders.
the recent report from the Synergy of Lake Kivu Fishermen’s Associations paints a grim picture of the state of fishing on Lake Kivu. The violence and fishing wrangles must be addressed urgently to prevent further loss of life and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishing industry. By working together, Rwanda, the DRC, and other regional stakeholders can create a safer and more prosperous environment for fishermen and their families.
References:
Lake Kivu: A Hotbed of Fishing Wrangles and Violence
Lake Kivu, a vital waterbody shared by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has recently been plagued by a series of fishing-related violence and wrangles. The latest report from the Synergy of Lake Kivu Fishermen’s Associations reveals a disturbing trend, with 33 Congolese fishermen killed and 56 others injured in just 9 months while fishing at night on Lake Kivu in South Kivu province [[1]].
This alarming situation has prompted the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) to agree to provide security services with two speedboats to combat lake crime, in a bid to prevent the death toll from rising [[1]]. The move comes as a result of advocacy led by provincial deputy Jackson Kalimba, who was alerted by fishermen operating on Lake Kivu about the theft of their nets and engines by the Rwandan Navy [[1]].
The Ongoing Violence and Fishing Wrangles
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. In 2011, two fishermen were allegedly killed at an island and their bodies dumped in Lake Kivu, highlighting the long-standing fishing wrangles in the region [[2]]. Similarly, in 2019, authorities in Rubavu District in Western Province issued a ban on any activity conducted in Lake Kivu, following the discovery of 16 dead bodies from a ferry [[3]].
The Importance of the Lake Kivu Fishing Industry
The Lake Kivu fishing industry is not only vital to the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen and their families but also contributes significantly to the economies of Rwanda and the DRC. However, the ongoing violence and fishing wrangles pose a significant threat to the industry’s sustainability.
Regional Scope of the Problem
In a separate but related incident, 12 fishermen were killed and a dozen more went missing after deadly clashes on Lake Edward, which is shared by Uganda and the DRC [[4]]. The incident highlights the regional scope of the problem and the need for collective action to address the root causes of the violence.
Addressing the Underlying Issues
The provision of speedboats by the DGM to combat lake crime is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the underlying issues driving the violence. This includes addressing the theft of fishing gear, resolving territorial disputes, and promoting dialogue between fishermen, authorities, and other stakeholders.
Urgent Action Needed
The recent report from the Synergy of Lake Kivu Fishermen’s Associations paints a grim picture of the state of fishing on Lake Kivu. The violence and fishing wrangles must be addressed urgently to prevent further loss of life and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishing industry. By working together, Rwanda, the DRC, and other regional stakeholders can create a safer and more prosperous environment for fishermen and their families.
Additional Information About Lake Kivu Fishermen
Lake Kivu’s fishermen are known for their unique tradition of singing while fishing. The singing fishermen of Lake Kivu in Rwanda are a popular tourist attraction, with hundreds of fishermen rowing to the center of the lake, chanting and whistling in time [[1]]. They sing for bravery and to assist them in paddling their can
