The article provides a poignant examination of life under the M23 rebel group's rule in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, a year after their initial invasion. The author visits a cemetery where mass graves stand as a haunting reminder of the violence and loss experienced by the local population. The reflections shared by Pascal, a day laborer, highlight the pervasive sense of fear and the fraught relationship between the community and their occupiers. He underscores the deep sense of injustice surrounding the treatment of the deceased, revealing how a tragic past continues to influence daily life.

As Pascal shares his thoughts, it becomes clear that the emotional weight of lost lives and unhealed wounds permeates not only the cemetery but the broader community. His assertion that "nothing will change" reflects a resigned acceptance among many residents who, despite their hardships, continue to navigate this brutal reality. The lack of respect for the deceased is emblematic of larger societal issues brought on by political instability and armed conflict, with questions of reparations and justice remaining unanswered. The people's pain is compounded by their sense of helplessness, which is palpable in the face of ongoing struggles for survival.

Overall, the article serves to shed light on the ongoing ramifications of the conflict, the resilience of Goma's residents, and the haunting memories that shape their current reality. It also echoes a broader narrative of yearning for peace and stability in a region fraught with turmoil, echoing the cries for recognition and justice from those still suffering under the M23's grip. Through Pascal's reflections, the narrative encapsulates the broader human toll of rebellion and the desperate longing for a better future in the face of formidable challenges.