Title: Butembo-Kisangani vehicle drivers on strike on the road to Ituri
Drivers of vehicles on the Butembo-Kisangani road via Ituri recently declared a strike, refusing to transport people and goods. The reasons for this decision are manifold, but the main problem remains the insecurity resulting from attacks by Ugandan rebels of the Democratic and Allied Forces (ADF).
The drivers, angry, asked that the Head of State be involved in the resolution of their problems, thus conditioning the resumption of their activities. Together with poor road maintenance, this caused accidents which facilitated ADF attacks on passing vehicles. Thus, they called for the rehabilitation of the Komanda-Luna road and hope for a quick response from the competent authorities.
Consequently, the announcement of this strike has raised concerns among the inhabitants of the province of Ituri, as their lives largely depend on it for food products and basic necessities which mainly come from the commercial city of Butembo. Some fear a possible rise in prices which could have disastrous consequences on the daily lives of the inhabitants.
The situation escalated with the burning of seven economic operators’ vehicles by suspected Ugandan rebels from the Democratic and Allied Forces (ADF).
Thus, it is crucial that the authorities do everything possible to solve the problems of vehicle drivers and restore security on this essential road axis which connects two provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.