The people of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) celebrated Christmas this year with a spirit of resilience, braving the recurring violence affecting the region.
Since early December, local shopkeepers have been offering discounts, while families have prepared for the festive season by purchasing gifts for their children and organizing celebrations.
Although the ongoing socio-economic challenges and recent rebel activities have cast a shadow over the usual holiday cheer, the people of Goma have demonstrated remarkable fortitude as they remained committed to celebrating this significant occasion.
At a Baptist church in the city, local children staged a nativity play, spreading festive joy amidst economic struggles and security concerns.
"We are celebrating Christmas with resilience. Given the hardships we have faced since January, we weren't sure we'd make it to December. But here we are. And we're still here, still living, and still celebrating the Lord despite everything," said Jayo Kamundu, a member of the CEBCA Church.
On this significant day, the pastor offered blessings to the children, serving as a symbol of hope and resilience.
"We prepared for Christmas as best as we could. The economic situation, however, made it hard to fully prepare. But with the limited resources we have, we found a way to teach the children and to celebrate the Lord in Goma's temples," said Kamundu.
This marks the first Christmas since Goma fell under the control of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, adding greater significance to the celebrations.
"Emmanuel, the Christ of peace, is the one we are celebrating today. I urge all Congolese to remain united. War should not divide us -- it should bring us closer. When we stand together, we will prevail. No matter the challenges, we must stay strong and always seek peace," said Kamundu.
After the mass, families returned home to enjoy each other's company, reflecting on the true spirit of Christmas, even though the festivities were more subdued.
"This Christmas feels different. In Goma, the streets don't have that usual festive atmosphere. In previous years, you could find many people selling Christmas trees and decorations. This year, however, sales have drastically slowed down. The city has been depopulated, and the economic crisis has deepened. I'd call this Christmas one of resilience," said Ruth Alonga Andia, a journalist.
Vendors continued to sell Christmas decorations along Goma's main streets. Although sales were down significantly, they persisted, holding on to their cherished traditions.
"We sell Christmas items like hats for New Year's Eve and decorations for Christmas trees. The tree, for example, is 25 dollars. Today, I've made no sales. Yesterday, I made only 15,000 Congolese francs, that is around 6 dollars. Last year, we were making almost 40 dollars in sales every day," said Nshimiyimana Jean-Pierre, a vendor.
Eastern DRC has long been plagued by recurring violence, exacerbated by the recent offensives of the M23 rebels, who have expanded their operations across several areas of the region.
According to the United Nations, more than 2.4 million people have been displaced since January 2025, bringing the tally of internally displaced persons to nearly 6 million. Around 1 million Congolese have sought refuge in neighboring countries, while 27 million people face hunger.
DR Congo celebrates Christmas with resilience despite recurring violence
