How M23 leaves Tanzanian transporters in grief, tears

He unfortunately said their cargo had been stolen, with various parts removed.

"We are relieved that our drivers returned safely, but 80 percent of the trucks left behind have lost both their cargo and equipment," Mr Lukumay said.

He added that trucks currently safe are those stored in yards, but those on the road have suffered significant losses.

Mr Lukumay further explained that they are unable to conduct business in Goma and Bukavu due to intensified fighting.

“As a result, even the government is missing out on revenue. For instance, if one truck usually brings in Sh7 million per trip, that revenue is now lost,” he said.

He suggested that the governments of Tanzania and the DRC should explore diplomatic means to return the trucks to Tanzania, possibly by escorting them with special security to the Rwanda border.

“This approach would enable us to resume trade with other countries, considering that Tanzania’s ports are vital for over seven nations exporting their goods,” he added.

Drivers secretly going to retrieve trucks

The Tanzania Small Truck Owners and Operators Association (Tamstoa) Chairman, Mr Chuki Shabani, said with some loans still accruing interest, they plan to appeal to banks to halt the charges.

"Since the trucks have been stranded, owners aren’t earning, yet the loans they took to buy the trucks for business remain charged,” he said.

“We understand that this is a war, and no one wants to stop working. However, we have decided to help our members avoid further suffering. We’ve informed them to visit the office, as many have borrowed from banks and other financial institutions,” he said.

Regarding the trucks, Mr Shabani said they are awaiting an official government statement on whether it is safe to retrieve the vehicles.

However, some truck owners have been secretly sending drivers to recover their trucks, which poses a safety risk.

“We urge truck owners who are sending drivers covertly to retrieve their trucks to reconsider this action. They are risking lives. The government has invested in rescuing them and bringing them home,” warned Mr Shabani.

He emphasised that while the property can be replaced, human life cannot.

“Let’s wait for government instructions and not sacrifice our fellow Tanzanians,” he added.

The Tanzania Truck Drivers Union (Chawamata) Chairman, Mr Nuhu Mgodoka, stated that they have not received complaints about drivers being instructed to secretly retrieve trucks. However, he noted that if such cases arise, they are unacceptable.

An anonymous driver revealed that he had secretly retrieved his truck, as he feared he could not support his family otherwise.

“We don’t know when the government will say the trucks can be taken, and for us, that’s our livelihood. The rich shouldn’t be blamed. Even if some owners force their drivers to do this, it’s only a few. The situation is forcing us to take this risk,” said the driver.

He added that they rely on being on the road to survive, rather than on insufficient salaries.

The conflict itself

The conflict in eastern DRC began in the 1990s and has escalated rapidly in recent weeks.

M23, a group of Tutsi rebels, claims to be fighting for minority rights, while the DRC government accuses them of being supported by Rwanda and attempting to seize control of the region’s mineral wealth.

Thousands of people have fled their homes, and the rebels have claimed control over several cities, while fighting continues between government forces and M23 in other areas.

Efforts to halt the conflict include a meeting of heads of state from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) held on February 8, 2025, in Dar es Salaam.

Among other decisions, it was agreed that M23 forces and the DRC government should engage in talks.

However, the situation took another turn on Friday, February 14, when M23 took control of Bukavu, as confirmed by the group’s leader, Corneille Nangaa, in a Reuters report.