Communal violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to claim victims. On May 13, 2023, “Mobondo” militiamen attacked the village of Batshongo, in Kwango province, killing two soldiers, a policeman and two civilians. Simultaneously, clashes between the Mobondo and the security forces left at least four people dead. Since June 2022, the Teke and Yaka communities, in land dispute in the province of Mai-Ndombe, have been fighting regularly over issues of customary royalties and access to land. To date, the conflict has claimed the lives of around 300 people, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Unfortunately, this violence in the DRC is difficult to confirm and the tolls could be much higher. The fighting is now spreading to the province of Kinshasa, which is home to the country’s capital. The village of Nguma, near the town, was also the scene of attacks by Mobondo militiamen, resulting in the death of a soldier and four militiamen. Although the violence in the west of the country has been overshadowed by recent developments in the M23 rebellion in eastern DRC, the Congolese government must take action to prevent the situation from escalating.
Indeed, instability and endemic violence are only worsening the already precarious humanitarian situation in the DRC, with more than 5.5 million people displaced across the country. This underscores the urgency of the need for coordinated action to provide assistance to those affected.
President Tshisekedi attempted to reassure investors by touting investment opportunities in the DRC during his official visit to Botswana on May 13, 2023. However, the state must first address internal security issues for private investment to can develop. Government funds for development must also be used wisely to support affected populations, including displaced women who need sexual health care and reproductive rights.
Thus, there is an urgent need for the Congolese government to put in place effective measures to end communal violence in the DRC, in order to help the millions of people affected and to create a safer and more stable environment for long-term private investment. term