The DRC is shaken by a conflict between the Teke and Yaka communities which has taken root in the province of Mai-Ndombe and has spread to both Kwango and Kongo Central. The clashes have given rise to the “Mobondo” phenomenon, where hordes of young people armed with machetes, wearing red bandanas, threaten the safety of the population.
The Bandundu-Bagata-Mai Ndombe garrison military court sentenced to death twelve people accused of terrorism in the case between the public prosecutor and the Kwamouth attackers. The defendants Bolonga Bantu, Mazumbu Salabiaku, Madioko Modero, Maluma Makila, Kibanda Thomas, Kulefa Salayi, Pika Mubiadi, Kusula, Nzuku, Matiti Maluma, Balabala Moke and Fambongo Kumbi were sentenced to death. However, the court declared itself incompetent to try the defendant Mabaya Kbwila Jordan because of minority.
The Catholic Church and the Congolese authorities have different stories about the causes of this conflict. The Deputy Prime Minister of Interior, Security and Customary Affairs said insecurity in the East was spreading to the West with the accompaniment of politicians. For the church, it would be a manipulation orchestrated by certain political actors for their political interests from Kinshasa.
The resulting insecurity is spreading more and more, particularly in the commune of Maluku and on the outskirts of Kinshasa. Thus, the assailants of Kwamouth would be primarily responsible for the precarious security situation in the provinces of Kwango and Mai-Ndombe, and even as far as Kongo Central.
The search for peace and societal cohesion in the DRC is an urgent matter. Certain events such as “Festiras 2022”, a rap and slam festival that intends to promote these themes, are of paramount importance for the stability of the country. In addition, civil society and politicians should sit around the table and discuss the elections to ensure a more inclusive process and guarantee peace at all levels.