ICGLR delegation in Beni: An assessment of the security situation in the DRC
A delegation made up of officers from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) visited the city of Beni, province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The main objective of this visit, which took place on Friday July 7, 2023, was to assess the evolution of the security situation in the Beni region and to take into account the threat of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group of Ugandan descent.
This delegation, made up of 11 members including 4 Congolese, began its visit by meeting the mayor of the city of Beni, the deputy divisional commissioner Muteba Kashale Narcisse. Subsequently, the ICGLR officers met with the Commander of the Congolese National Police (PNC), Principal Senior Commissioner Jean-Fabien Sébastien Kahuma Lemba.
Following these fruitful exchanges, the head of the delegation, Peter Kissara, of Kenyan nationality, said he was fully informed of the security situation prevailing in the Beni region. He pledged to report faithfully to the officials of the member countries of the ICGLR.
The visit of this ICGLR delegation to Beni testifies to the importance given to the resolution of security problems in the Great Lakes region. The presence of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) has caused widespread disruption and persistent insecurity, including through attacks on civilians in Beni and the Ituri region.
It is essential that concrete actions be taken to put an end to the activities of armed groups and guarantee the security of the populations. The visit of the ICGLR delegation will make it possible to assess the measures already put in place and to identify the actions to be taken to strengthen security in the region.
In conclusion, the visit of the ICGLR delegation to Beni marks a further step in the efforts aimed at improving the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is crucial that the member countries of the ICGLR continue to work together to find lasting solutions to the security challenges that persist in the Great Lakes region