By Paolo Lòriga
His city, Goma, is in the hands of rebels. Internal war in the Democratic Republic of Congo has already caused thousands of deaths. This is the story of his family’s escape and his life as a bass player in the Loppiano’s music group.
“Right now, things are calm in my city, but only on the surface because it’s occupied by rebels. If the government wants to take back control of Goma, the war will start again.” Jason speaks softly, often looking down at the floor. He feels deep pain for what is happening in his homeland. In January 2025, the M23 rebels — a paramilitary organisation created and financed by Rwanda, also known as the ‘March 23 Movement’ — occupied Goma, as they had done briefly in 2012. The city, which had a population of 740,000 until 2024, is located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, close to the border with Rwanda.
“The war between the rebels and the government army,” Jason explains, “is over the conquest of precious minerals, from gold to diamonds. The result has been armed clashes, widespread bombings and many deaths.’ The rebels’ actions have been extremely brutal. A UN report at the end of March spoke of at least 8,000 deaths, including military personnel and civilians, as well as an incalculable number of wounded and missing people. The approximately 3,000 prisoners who escaped from prison have caused widespread terror.
Jason’s family managed to flee Goma in mid-March. Unfortunately, however, they were not all able to escape together. His mother, two brothers and 13-year-old sister found refuge in Uganda with friends, while his other two brothers arrived at the home of their sister in Congo Brazzaville, where she had moved some time ago.
“We have no idea if the house is still standing, but we hope so,” says Jason dryly. Many of his compatriots, on the other hand, found their homes destroyed and now have nowhere to go. Jason arrived in Loppiano in March 2022 after meeting Helanio, a Brazilian singer with Gen Rosso, on Facebook in 2017.
“We became friends talking about music. Then I met Emanuele Chirco, the artistic director of Gen Rosso. He liked my videos of songs and performances with various famous African artists. In 2020, I moved to Kenya, where there were more opportunities for my career as a bass player.” After a pause, he lets slip a confidence: ‘My mother understood that I had a talent, blessed me, and let me go.’ Another pause – ‘Who would have thought that I would play in Gen Rosso and help spread the beautiful message of unity and fraternity to the world through music? I didn’t know about the Focolare Movement before, and I’m part of the Evangelical Church.
I joined the community in Loppiano slowly and with difficulty. I wasn’t used to living with people from different cultures and it was a real school of life.’ Jason is in frequent contact with his mother, brothers and sisters, telephone connections permitting, in their respective countries. “At Easter, we were all able to talk to each other,” Jason says, his eyes lighting up.
“We were connected all night, praying together for a long time. It was a wonderful occasion, full of joy and emotion. The anxiety of finding a place for the family, even temporarily, had passed, and it seemed that the worst was behind us. The sacred moment of Easter left a deep mark on us.” He adds, ‘How beautiful it is to have a family with such faith as ours! We feel close, even though we are far apart. The fact that I am doing well here with Gen Rosso and that we are moving forward together is a source of comfort for my mother and my brothers and sisters.”
