Beni, in the North Kivu region, is one of the cities most affected by banditry in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Operations to dismantle these groups are frequent, as evidenced by the latest, which led to the arrest of 22 suspected bandits on Friday 12 May.
Presented to the local press, these individuals – including three women – were notably suspected of being involved in the various attacks that have shaken the city in recent times. This time, they were arrested in a bar in the Malepe district, in the heart of the city.
Faced with this resurgence of crime, the police urged the population to collaborate with the police to put an end to this vicious cycle. This stance comes in a context marked by the state of siege still in force in the region.
While the authorities strive to restore order and security, the citizens of Beni continue to live in a permanent climate of fear due to the actions of the bandits. The fight against banditry is a real challenge for the Congolese authorities, who must make considerable efforts to pacify the city and the region as a whole.