Former North Kivu Governor Says Fuel Taxes Multiplied Tenfold Under Siege

Kinshasa, DRC, August 5, 2026 - Member of Parliament Carly Nzanzu Kasivita, who previously served as the governor of North Kivu, has raised concerns regarding the significant increase in fuel taxes under the current military administration. During a recent statement, he highlighted that the conventional fuel tax at the Kasindi border crossing has surged from approximately USD 330 per 40 m³ truck during his tenure to around USD 3,000 today. This dramatic rise, he argues, reflects a multiplication of tax bases rather than improved governance, placing undue pressure on the local population.

Nzanzu detailed the current territorial control dynamics, noting that while Kinshasa maintains authority over Butembo, Beni city and territory, as well as parts of Lubero and Walikale, the regions of Goma, Rutshuru, Masisi, Nyiragongo, and parts of Walikale remain under the control of the AFC/M23, which he described as Rwanda’s proxy. He added that ADF terrorism and rising urban crime persist even in zones still under Kinshasa’s authority.

The former governor criticized the military governors, stating that they operate without the oversight of provincial assemblies, which has led to a lack of accountability. In contrast, civil governors are subjected to quarterly financial oversight, raising questions about the effectiveness of governance in the region. Nzanzu's remarks come in the context of a broader assessment of the ongoing conflict, which has now reached Sake under military administration, indicating that the siege has failed to restore state authority effectively.