Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: 
A Criminological Perspective

Sanganiro Koko Merci; Safari Rwidegembya Lebon

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11

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Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: A Criminological Perspective

Sanganiro Koko Merci^*

, Safari Rwidegembya Lebon

Published in International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 1)

Received: 21 October 2025 Accepted: 28 November 2025 Published: 27 March 2026

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Abstract

For several decades, the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has faced a continuous deterioration of the insecurity situation. In this context of persistent violence, the South Kivu province, and primarily its capital city, Bukavu, has not been spared. On the contrary, the latter is confronted with growing urban insecurity, characterized by an alarming frequency of criminal acts and serious offenses. This situation, far from being temporary, reflects a context of weakened governance, notably due to the presence of illegitimate authorities linked to the M23-AFC (Mouvement du 23 Mars/Allience Fleuve Congo) coalition. The lack of an adequate institutional response to this insecurity has reinforced a sense of abandonment and vulnerability among the local population already vulnerable due to the spike in urban violence or criminal activity. This article offers an analysis of the underlying causes of this unprecedented security crisis by examining the political, social, and institutional dynamics at play in the city of Bukavu. The study focuses on the various triggers of local insecurity, including residential burglary, the pervasive feeling of insecurity, organized crime, murder and the concerning phenomenon of vigilantism (popular or mob justice). The findings will allow us to formulate concrete recommendations and propose a partial guide for decision making bodies and the local improve the security situation and foster the emergence of a safer society.

Published in	International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11
Page(s)	1-6
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Criminal Acts, Urban Insecurity, Rebels, Feeling of Insecurity, Problem Situation

References

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[15]	Rakotomavo, V. (2015). Vigilante Justice in Criminal Law. University of Antananarivo, Department of Law.
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APA Style

Merci, S. K., Lebon, S. R. (2026). Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: A Criminological Perspective. International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 11(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11

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ACS Style

Merci, S. K.; Lebon, S. R. Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: A Criminological Perspective. Int. J. Psychol. Brain Sci. 2026, 11(1), 1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11

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AMA Style

Merci SK, Lebon SR. Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: A Criminological Perspective. Int J Psychol Brain Sci. 2026;11(1):1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11,
  author = {Sanganiro Koko Merci and Safari Rwidegembya Lebon},
  title = {Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: 
A Criminological Perspective},
  journal = {International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-6},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijpbs.20261101.11},
  abstract = {For several decades, the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has faced a continuous deterioration of the insecurity situation. In this context of persistent violence, the South Kivu province, and primarily its capital city, Bukavu, has not been spared. On the contrary, the latter is confronted with growing urban insecurity, characterized by an alarming frequency of criminal acts and serious offenses. This situation, far from being temporary, reflects a context of weakened governance, notably due to the presence of illegitimate authorities linked to the M23-AFC (Mouvement du 23 Mars/Allience Fleuve Congo) coalition. The lack of an adequate institutional response to this insecurity has reinforced a sense of abandonment and vulnerability among the local population already vulnerable due to the spike in urban violence or criminal activity. This article offers an analysis of the underlying causes of this unprecedented security crisis by examining the political, social, and institutional dynamics at play in the city of Bukavu. The study focuses on the various triggers of local insecurity, including residential burglary, the pervasive feeling of insecurity, organized crime, murder and the concerning phenomenon of vigilantism (popular or mob justice). The findings will allow us to formulate concrete recommendations and propose a partial guide for decision making bodies and the local improve the security situation and foster the emergence of a safer society.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: 
A Criminological Perspective
AU  - Sanganiro Koko Merci
AU  - Safari Rwidegembya Lebon
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11
T2  - International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11
AB  - For several decades, the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has faced a continuous deterioration of the insecurity situation. In this context of persistent violence, the South Kivu province, and primarily its capital city, Bukavu, has not been spared. On the contrary, the latter is confronted with growing urban insecurity, characterized by an alarming frequency of criminal acts and serious offenses. This situation, far from being temporary, reflects a context of weakened governance, notably due to the presence of illegitimate authorities linked to the M23-AFC (Mouvement du 23 Mars/Allience Fleuve Congo) coalition. The lack of an adequate institutional response to this insecurity has reinforced a sense of abandonment and vulnerability among the local population already vulnerable due to the spike in urban violence or criminal activity. This article offers an analysis of the underlying causes of this unprecedented security crisis by examining the political, social, and institutional dynamics at play in the city of Bukavu. The study focuses on the various triggers of local insecurity, including residential burglary, the pervasive feeling of insecurity, organized crime, murder and the concerning phenomenon of vigilantism (popular or mob justice). The findings will allow us to formulate concrete recommendations and propose a partial guide for decision making bodies and the local improve the security situation and foster the emergence of a safer society.
VL  - 11
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Author Information

Sanganiro Koko Merci

School of Criminology, The Official University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0007-4461-6295
Safari Rwidegembya Lebon

School of Criminology, The Official University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-4483-786X

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APA Style

Merci, S. K., Lebon, S. R. (2026). Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: A Criminological Perspective. International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 11(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11

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ACS Style

Merci, S. K.; Lebon, S. R. Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: A Criminological Perspective. Int. J. Psychol. Brain Sci. 2026, 11(1), 1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11

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AMA Style

Merci SK, Lebon SR. Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: A Criminological Perspective. Int J Psychol Brain Sci. 2026;11(1):1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11,
  author = {Sanganiro Koko Merci and Safari Rwidegembya Lebon},
  title = {Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: 
A Criminological Perspective},
  journal = {International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-6},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijpbs.20261101.11},
  abstract = {For several decades, the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has faced a continuous deterioration of the insecurity situation. In this context of persistent violence, the South Kivu province, and primarily its capital city, Bukavu, has not been spared. On the contrary, the latter is confronted with growing urban insecurity, characterized by an alarming frequency of criminal acts and serious offenses. This situation, far from being temporary, reflects a context of weakened governance, notably due to the presence of illegitimate authorities linked to the M23-AFC (Mouvement du 23 Mars/Allience Fleuve Congo) coalition. The lack of an adequate institutional response to this insecurity has reinforced a sense of abandonment and vulnerability among the local population already vulnerable due to the spike in urban violence or criminal activity. This article offers an analysis of the underlying causes of this unprecedented security crisis by examining the political, social, and institutional dynamics at play in the city of Bukavu. The study focuses on the various triggers of local insecurity, including residential burglary, the pervasive feeling of insecurity, organized crime, murder and the concerning phenomenon of vigilantism (popular or mob justice). The findings will allow us to formulate concrete recommendations and propose a partial guide for decision making bodies and the local improve the security situation and foster the emergence of a safer society.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Rethinking the Etiology of Urban Insecurity in Bukavu: 
A Criminological Perspective
AU  - Sanganiro Koko Merci
AU  - Safari Rwidegembya Lebon
Y1  - 2026/03/27
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11
T2  - International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Psychological and Brain Sciences
SP  - 1
EP  - 6
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1573
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpbs.20261101.11
AB  - For several decades, the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has faced a continuous deterioration of the insecurity situation. In this context of persistent violence, the South Kivu province, and primarily its capital city, Bukavu, has not been spared. On the contrary, the latter is confronted with growing urban insecurity, characterized by an alarming frequency of criminal acts and serious offenses. This situation, far from being temporary, reflects a context of weakened governance, notably due to the presence of illegitimate authorities linked to the M23-AFC (Mouvement du 23 Mars/Allience Fleuve Congo) coalition. The lack of an adequate institutional response to this insecurity has reinforced a sense of abandonment and vulnerability among the local population already vulnerable due to the spike in urban violence or criminal activity. This article offers an analysis of the underlying causes of this unprecedented security crisis by examining the political, social, and institutional dynamics at play in the city of Bukavu. The study focuses on the various triggers of local insecurity, including residential burglary, the pervasive feeling of insecurity, organized crime, murder and the concerning phenomenon of vigilantism (popular or mob justice). The findings will allow us to formulate concrete recommendations and propose a partial guide for decision making bodies and the local improve the security situation and foster the emergence of a safer society.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download