Muslims in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s provincial capital, Goma say they are struggling to find food during the holy month of Ramadan.
Some have fled fighting between government forces and the armed group M23. The conflict that started about two years ago has displaced nearly two million people. Muslims account for 10% of the Congolese population.

Goma

In the Democratic Republic of Congo's provincial capital, Goma, Muslims are facing significant food shortages during the holy month of Ramadan. This situation has arisen amid ongoing conflict between government forces and the armed group M23, which began approximately two years ago. The violence has led to the displacement of nearly two million people across the region.

Muslims, who constitute 10% of the Congolese population, are among those severely affected. Many have fled their homes due to the fighting, exacerbating the struggle to secure food during Ramadan, a period when fasting from dawn until sunset is observed. The combination of displacement and conflict has critically hampered their ability to access essential supplies, leaving them in dire need during this significant religious observance.



Food shortage hits D.R. Congo Muslims during Ramadan

Around 10% of the Congolese population are Muslim, and Abdurahman Kikandi is one of the many struggling to get a proper meal during the holy month of Ramadan. His family moved to this displaced persons camp in the provincial capital Goma, from the town of Sake, about 25 kilometers away. Sake has been fought over for months by government forces and the armed group M23. Most of its residents now live rough in makeshift tents with little food, water and other necessities. The fact that my wife is not fasting is a grace that I thank God for. It's God who wanted my wife who is pregnant to escape the pain of having no food. This helps me because I'm the only one fasting in the house. It's bearable because I don't have enough food for more people. Nearly two million people in the eastern province of North Kivu have fled since the fighting began two years ago. Aid workers do their best to help, but they say the needs are too many. Khadija Ibrahim has just received her food ration. We are fasting this Ramadan in very difficult conditions. Our children have neither a meal to start the fast nor one to break the fast. We have nowhere to find food. And if we go back to Sake to look for it, we are attacked by the rebels. The Congolese government, UN experts and other international organizations blame neighboring Rwanda for backing M23 and causing this latest flare-up, an accusation Rwanda denies. Many Congolese stuck in camps also blame M23. The fighting is not letting up and is spreading to different areas. But it appears the group keeps advancing and taking more territory. That means the homeless, such as Abdo Rahman, are set to stay here until a solution is found. Catherine Soy, Al Jazeera.

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