The city of Bukavu is exposed to various types of natural disasters. The intensity, frequency, and damage caused by these disasters sometimes lead state authorities to relocate affected households. Despite the recurring natural disasters and the relocation measures implemented by the state, the population resists relocation and continues to build on these high-risk sites. This study, conducted using a quantitative approach, surveyed 171 people at 38 high-risk sites. The results were as follows: 98% of victims had not been consulted beforehand regarding relocation; 98% stated that the new relocation sites lacked adequate basic infrastructure; 79% of victims cited attachment to their place of residence and/or origin; and 75% cited fear of losing their cultural identity. The consequences of resistance include accidents related to damaged infrastructure, loss of livelihoods, potential land disputes and legal litigation due to illegal occupation of others’ land, increased risk of disease, and decreased local economic activity. There are also risks to the rights and legal security of residents. Solutions to reduce population resistance to relocation include guaranteeing employment opportunities, priority access to health and education services in the new location, providing adequate housing in the new location, financial compensation for losses incurred during relocation, and successfully raising public awareness of the risks involved.

The rapid urbanization of Bukavu, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is marked by the increasing occupation of unsuitable land for construction, particularly on steep or unstable slopes. This study investigates the motivations and practices of state institutions in issuing land registration certificates on such high-risk sites, using the case of Lycée Wima Hill as a focal point. The methodology combines institutional interviews, household surveys, and document analysis. Findings highlight a land governance system characterized by institutional fragmentation, clientelist practices, technical oversight failure, and administrative tolerance of risky urbanization. At the same time, residents justify their settlement decisions on economic constraints, lack of alternative land options, and distorted risk perception. The study offers a critical reflection on the «grey legality» of urban land tenure in Bukavu and calls for land governance reform based on transparency, civic participation, and sustainable urban planning.