The Ebola outbreak is cutting off the escape route between Goma in the DRC and Rwanda | Story

Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Between the pillars connecting Goma and the town of Gisenyi in Rwanda, in the Petite Barrière, there is a small wooden house that was filled with traders and travelers going back and forth every day.

Now it stands empty.

A few meters away, a sentry box painted in the colors of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) watches over the border that has been caring for thousands of people. Across the border, a green painted box marks the entrance to Gisenyi.

Since the authorities announced the Ebola crisis in Goma on May 16, the crossing has been closed, cutting off an important trade route for thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on moving between the two cities.

Many people say they were turned back on May 17 when they tried to enter Rwanda.

One of them was Murielle Ihora, a mother of three who earns money to buy tomatoes.

He remembers waking up before dawn, hoping to buy fresh produce in Rwanda at low prices to return the profits to Goma.

“On May 17, with my two baskets, I was planning to cross to Rwanda to buy tomatoes to sell here in Goma.” When I arrived, I was told that the Rwandan authorities had stopped their crossing,” he recalls.

Unable to continue his business, Ihora now goes to neighboring villages, including Minova, about 30km southwest of Goma in South Kivu province, to get his goods.

His experience is growing in a city where cross-border trade supports many families.

According to World Bank figures from 2015, between 20,000 and 30,000 people cross the Petite Barriere border in Goma every day, most of them engaged in small trade. For many people living in Goma and Gisenyi, the border supports daily trade and household income.

Public health versus lifestyle

As Ebola continues to affect parts of the DRC, neighboring countries, including Rwanda and Uganda, have put measures in place to prevent the virus from crossing their borders.

Rwanda has imposed health restrictions, including banning the entry of foreign travelers who have been in the DRC in the past 30 days.

However, some health experts question whether border closures are an effective solution.

Last month, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the organization does not recommend closing borders during Ebola, saying that such measures are not effective and can cause serious harm.

Dr Elie Bajo, a health policy analyst, says movement restrictions may be considered in the event of an outbreak as a way to reduce the spread, but says surveillance remains the most effective tool.

“In the event of an outbreak, there is what is known as surveillance, which is done in several ways. This is done mainly at points of entry and checkpoints. They are like airports, roadblocks and other borders,” he told Al Jazeera.

He shares the WHO’s view that screening and monitoring travelers is more effective than closing borders completely.

However, for traders in Goma, the conflict is not only about public health. It is also about survival.

‘We don’t have enough to survive’

Furaha Kiza, 45, supports six children through a small business selling lemons. The closure has significantly reduced their income.

He said: “Since the border was closed, we had nothing to do.”

Across Birere Market, traders say sales have dropped sharply since the closure.

Fatuma Mapendo, 32, buys pepper in Rwanda before selling it in Goma. Since he closed, he says, running his business has been very difficult.

“I buy pepper in Rwanda to sell. Today, sometimes I get a sale, and sometimes nothing. I would prefer to follow the measures to protect the letter instead of closing the border,” he told Al Jazeera.

Gustave Bolingo, an economic analyst in Goma, says the bans have had a major impact on areas that were already struggling.

“The outbreak happened without warning.” Unfortunately, his arrival is ruining the lives of many families who trade between our towns.

Calls for the border to be reopened are growing from authorities in areas controlled by the M23.

Leaders of the M23 militia, which controls large parts of eastern DRC, say no Ebola cases have been confirmed in areas under their control.

“In total, we have only had four cases: one death and three recoveries. And today we have no active cases. Let’s remain vigilant,” said Dr Freddy Kaniki, head of the Ebola Response Task Force within the armed group, on his X account.

For traders waiting on a closed margin, however, the argument is less about the spread figures than how much they can recover.

Organizations representing small businesses say they are continuing to negotiate with Rwandan officials and AFC-M23 officials in Goma in hopes of ending the ban.

Among the people affected by this issue is the director of the Tuungane Organization for People with Physical Disabilities, Rocky Ngelema Tshomba, who brings together small border traders with disabilities who work on both sides of the border.

“The most important thing is to start the crossing. We don’t have enough to survive anymore. Let’s hope that the cooperation is possible, and we are ready to follow the precautions against Ebola.”