Rutshuru, September 3, 2025 – In the volatile Rugari Groupement of Rutshuru Territory, already marked as a red zone because of the presence of FDLR, Wazalendo, and FARDC combatants hiding in Virunga National Park, fresh challenges are emerging from an unlikely source: conflicts between farmers and herders.
A socio-economic survey carried out in the area reveals that the growing tension stems from insufficient land and the lack of proper land management.
Farming is largely practiced on small, rudimentary plots with low yields, while livestock is left to roam freely without designated grazing zones.
This overlap has fueled disputes between the two groups, both of whom depend on the land for survival.
One incident highlighted during the survey underscores the fragility of the situation. A cow reportedly strayed into a potato field, leading to all the animals being seized by the Groupement Chief.
Each cow was fined 10 dollars, a heavy burden for small herders already struggling to make ends meet.
Observers argue that such disputes not only threaten the already fragile social fabric of the community but also expose deeper structural problems. “We are in a very fragile and sensitive period. This is a community that survives on farming and herding but lacks adequate support,” one local researcher said, calling for the creation of a permanent joint commission to mediate and manage land-use conflicts.
The plea reflects the broader struggle of communities in eastern Congo, where insecurity, poverty, and poor governance converge. With no intervention, tensions between farmers and herders could escalate, worsening livelihoods in a region already grappling with instability.
