"Shock Waves" Series: North Kivu (DRC)—Rutshuru in the Shadow of the M23: Leading the Faith from Afar
In the Rutshuru territory, the Evangelical Radio and Television Station for Harmonious Development (RTEDH) faces a unique challenge to its sovereignty. Since the arrival of M23 rebels in October 2022, the station has been operating in an area beyond the control of the Congolese government. Unlike the indiscriminate violence seen in Bukavu or Uvira, the M23’s entry into Rutshuru was more “peaceful,” though not without intense psychological and administrative pressure on the media.
The "Contract" of Coercion
The most significant incident during this occupation was the forced signing of a broadcasting agreement. Two weeks after cutting off their signal for security reasons, radio station officials were summoned by the M23. Under the pretext of “ensuring security,” the rebels demanded that programming resume, even going so far as to offer refreshments to celebrate this new agreement. They even requested airtime to promote their political and development agenda, placing religious radio stations in the difficult position of being forced to collaborate.
Exile to Continue Serving
For Kipesse Johnson, the price of resistance was exile. Alerted by friends that he was being sought by the new de facto authorities because of his influence, he was forced to flee toUganda with his family. Today, he embodies a new form of resilience: remote leadership. Thanks to digital tools, he continues to run the radio station and organize meetings with his team back home.
A Glimmer of Hope Amid the Occupation
Despite this precarious situation, the radio station has managed to extend its broadcast hours and now airs from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. While the current situation appears calm on the surface, the hope for the rebels’ withdrawal and the return of the displaced remains the top priority. Kipesse Johnson, though struggling to make ends meet in Uganda, refuses to give in to fear: “A prudent man sees danger from afar.” His daily struggle to keep the RTEDH signal on the air attests to the vital importance of the radio station as the last social and spiritual link for a population living under occupation.
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