Bishop Ngumbi expressed his appreciation during a Mass held in Goma to commemorate the feast day of Blessed Anuarite.

The Mass was attended by leaders aligned with AFC/M23, the group that has controlled the city of Goma for nearly a year.

Ngumbi said that since AFC/M23 entered the city, security has significantly improved. He prayed that God continues to help them so that peace becomes lasting in Goma and in other parts of North Kivu Province.

He said: “I thank the people of AFC/M23 who have joined us to commemorate this special day dedicated to Blessed Anuarite. We thank you for the security currently in Goma and in various parts of our province. May God continue to help you so that this security becomes permanent, because without peace and security there can be no development, and nothing else can be achieved.”

At the end of January this year, AFC/M23 took control of the city of Goma after driving out the coalition of DRC government forces, including FARDC, FDLR, Wazalendo, SADC troops and European mercenaries.

Members of that coalition particularly Wazalendo and FARDC fighters had long contributed to insecurity in Goma, where cases of violence, including killings and theft, were frequently reported.

Since AFC/M23 forces captured the city, regarded as the capital of North Kivu Province, crime and violent incidents have sharply decreased, largely due to patrol operations that dismantled criminal gangs.