00:00Jantil Mutumai is among the thousands of victims of the looting and vandalism that struck Goma on January 27, 2025, the day the city was taken by AFC MP3 fighters.
00:12That day, thousands of shops and businesses were looted by non-individuals, plunging many traders into unemployment and poverty.
00:20There were televisions, computers, lots of accessories, phones, but on the 27th, everything was taken.
00:26They even took part of the door.
00:28The one you see here is Niu.
00:31One year later, Jantil still keeps the images of his looted shop firmly by-passes-by.
00:38Like many entrepreneurs in Goma, he chose to get back on his feet, not to give up and resume his activities, despite an economy that remains extremely fragile.
00:51People don't have money. The banks are closed.
00:53The flow of money before and flow today are two completely different things.
00:58In Goma, this determination to rebuild is also driven by local solidarity.
01:05Associations are mobilizing to help people affected by looting and war, particularly vulnerable families and displaced persons.
01:12So far, we have very little money.
01:17We try to provide financial support.
01:19Even though, ourselves, we have no fundings, we just try to raise funds through our groups online, and based on that, we try to assist the other vulnerable.
01:29Since the city was taken by the armed groups, banks have remained closed, a situation that is crippling the local economy and making daily life harder for residents and traders alike.
01:42For their part, M23 authorities say they have taken certain measures to address economic challenges.
01:48We reduced the number of taxes from 500 to 200, all to help boost an economy that was bankrupt in the city of Goma and to allow young people to start businesses.
01:59Goma remains under AFC M23 control despite ongoing diplomatic initiatives.
02:06Mediation efforts are struggling to succeed, and no clear outlook has emerged so far.
02:11But on the ground, residents refuse to give up.
02:14Resilience has become an act of survival for an entire population.
02:19Resilience has become an act of survival for an entire population.
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