In Walungu territory, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, residents of Lubona, Mushinga and Irongo are raising concerns over a worsening security situation that is now directly affecting local markets and daily economic life.
According to local sources, weekly market days Chakarubaka on Sundays, Chanduru on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Kashunju on Wednesdays—have increasingly become periods of fear rather than trade.
Reports of armed incidents and sporadic gunfire near market areas are regularly disrupting commercial activities, forcing traders and buyers to interrupt transactions or avoid markets altogether.
“Going to the market is no longer a routine activity; it has become a risk,” said one resident, describing
how insecurity now shapes everyday economic decisions in the area.The economic impact is becoming visible. Market attendance has dropped significantly, agricultural products are becoming harder to sell, and trust between buyers and sellers is steadily eroding.
Small traders report that the informal credit system long essential to rural commerce is collapsing under uncertainty.
“People are no longer willing to sell on credit because they do not know whether tomorrow will be stable enough for repayment,” explained a local trader.
This breakdown in trust is hitting farming households particularly hard, as they depend heavily on weekly markets for income generation. Unsold goods are accumulating, and many families are experiencing growing financial losses.
Beyond economic indicators, residents say the situation is reshaping social and commercial relations within the community. Markets, once vibrant spaces of exchange and cooperation, are turning into zones of uncertainty and reduced interaction.
Local communities are calling on authorities to strengthen civilian protection and secure key trading routes to allow economic activities to resume normally. They are also urging that markets be kept free of any armed presence, stressing their essential role in the survival of rural populations.
In a region already affected by years of instability, residents of Lubona, Mushinga and Irongo hope for urgent action to prevent further deterioration of livelihoods and to restore stability to local trade systems.
