After more than three months away due to rebel activities from the AFC/M23, the population of Pinga, located in the border between Walikale and Masisi territories in North Kivu, is slowly returning to the city. However, upon arriving in Pinga, they are faced with another major issue: the monthly payment of security tokens. Paying to hope to live “in security.” Many returnees accuse the fighters of the politico-military movement Nduma Defense of Congo-Rénové (NDC-R) led by militia leader Guidon Shimirayi of being the perpetrators of what they describe as harassment. “We just got back. We have nothing. Why make us suffer doubly after all we have been through? Why not wait for the situation to normalize before resuming the sale of their tokens?” wonders a Pinga resident who confided in ACTUALITE.CD. He adds that this behavior may prevent other residents who are still in the bush from joining those who are already in the city. This information is confirmed by local traditional sources who indicate that some returnees decide to return to the forest to protect themselves from these harassments. Contacted on this subject, the spokesperson for the NDC-R categorically rejects these accusations. According to Marcelin Shenkuku, these are malicious individuals who want to tarnish the image of the armed movement.
