Source : NEW INDIAN EXPRESS NEWS
Our survival
Money changers set rates that are out of reach for many people in one of the world’s poorest countries, prompting the M23 to announce a fixed rate in order to limit excesses.
Those still lucky enough to be paid a salary cannot access their bank accounts.
Mbueki, the schoolteacher, like many other workers, crosses the border into Rwanda to withdraw cash, but that entails additional charges.
Civil servants and people working for international organisations, who are paid by bank transfer, are also affected.
The sluggish economy, the departure of some international staff and the cash shortage have also cost many locals their jobs.
“Since the war, there are almost no more opportunities, so for now I’m a housewife,” said Godel Kahamby, who was a public service employee.
“We’ve already significantly cut back on our expenditure: no new clothes, no expensive meals, no entertainment,” she said.
“For now, what’s important is our survival.”
Basic necessities are still delivered to the city, but the economy is clearly suffering.
“We find the goods, but we don’t have buyers,” said Innocent, who sells building materials.
The streets around Birere market are unusually quiet.
Boats embarking on Lake Kivu towards neighbouring South Kivu province depart half empty.
“Before the war, I could sell 20 bags of corn flour a week, but currently even 10 bags a month is a blessing,” grumbled Nelson Kombi, a trader in Goma’s Majengo district.
Food prices have risen because of supply difficulties and new taxes imposed by the warring parties on both sides of the front line.
The M23 has set up a financial authority while waiting for the banks to reopen and has called on people to put their savings into it.
So far it has not been successful, and experts believe the authority should be limited to centralising taxes paid to the armed group.
And amid the shortage of dollars and Congolese francs, the country’s two main currencies, criminality has soared on the streets of Goma and Bukavu at night.
SOURCE :- NEW INDIAN EXPRESS
