While political tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have deepened in recent months, a quieter story is unfolding along the border—a story of resilience, connection, and hope. Through the Amahoro n’Iterambere project, cross-border women traders have found strength in each other, choosing coexistence and development over division and fear.
A Voice from the Ground
Adidjah Maheshe, a Congolese cross border woman of Goma, knows firsthand how instability can shake a community. “After the governance changed in Goma, everything was uncertain,” she recalls. “Most operations were closed. People were scared. Life was not normal anymore.”
But amid the uncertainty, Amahoro n’Iterambere offered something rare: continuity. “We still met through the project. We discussed how we could continue developing ourselves. That gave us hope because we chose to be traders and not to linger into political affairs.’’
Hadidjah second from the far left, a woman trader from Goma
The Invisible Toll of Conflict
The border, a lifeline for many traders, became a point of hesitation. Trade slowed drastically. At times, it stopped entirely for 3 days. Even after it reopened, fear lingered. Many were unsure whether to cross. “The insecurity was real, but the women adapted,” says MBARUSHIMANA Ange ,the vice president of these women’s platform in Rwanda. “Now, we’re beginning to see some recovery.”
Community as a Lifeline
Key to that recovery are the project’s regular group sessions. These aren’t just about trade—they focus on well-being, saving, and family resilience. They give women a space to share, to plan, and to support each other. In times of conflict, such spaces become more than just educational—they become therapeutic.
The project also offers specialized training led by consultants in economics and advocacy. These sessions equip the women with tools to face not only business challenges but emotional and mental ones as well. “They’ve learned how to cope, how to keep going,” the team reflects.
The sessions from the project are a huge support
From Advocacy to economics, they learn a lot
Hope, Rooted in Action
Despite the uncertainty, hope is a recurring theme. The women believe that the current instability may be a path toward positive change. They are placing their faith in better governance and in each other. “They didn’t let conflict tear them apart. They put peace above everything and continued working together,” says David BAZIRANKENDE, ARDE/KUBAHO‘s Executive Director, the organization responsible of implementing this project in partnership with DRC‘s SPR and Spain‘s Medicus Mundi.
In a time where national politics strain even the most basic human connections, Amahoro n’Iterambere reminds us of the power of community. It’s not just a development project—it’s a peacebuilding movement led by the very people most affected by conflict. Women who, against all odds, are keeping trade alive and peace within reach.
