The security situation is deteriorating in Kinshasa due to the conflict between Teke and Yaka in Kwamouth, in the province of Mai Ndombe. Following the 99th meeting of the Council of Ministers, the Congolese government noted an upsurge in incursions by Mobondo assailants on the national road number one linking the locality of Menkao in Maluku to the province of Kwango.
The Minister of National Defense and Veterans, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, strongly condemned these attacks. He stressed that the law enforcement and defense forces are working tirelessly to restore peace and security in the affected areas.
For his part, the President of the National Assembly, Christophe Mboso, called on the Mobondo groups to put an end to the violence and to turn to dialogue to definitively settle the conflict between Teke and Yaka. He announced the establishment of a commission for peace, reconciliation and reintegration of aggrieved communities, composed of national deputies and senators, members of the central government, and other personalities.
According to Human Rights Watch, the conflict has already claimed more than 300 lives since its declaration in June 2022. The provinces of Kwilu and Kwango have also been affected, with recent clashes in Mongata and Batshongo.
It is time for the authorities to take concrete measures to guarantee the safety of citizens and put an end to these conflicts. Dialogue and reconciliation initiatives are essential, but it is imperative that armed groups are brought to lay down their arms and that those responsible for the violence are brought to justice.
The precarious security situation in the DRC also shows the importance of sustainable and inclusive economic development for the areas affected by these conflicts. Efforts must be made to ensure access to education, health and job creation in these regions, in order to reduce the socio-economic inequalities that often fuel conflicts.
It is crucial that the Congolese authorities work hand in hand with the international community to ensure a more peaceful and prosperous future for all citizens of the DRC.