Title: An ICGLR delegation on a mission to Beni to assess the security situation
Introduction :
In July 2023, a delegation of officers from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) visited the town of Beni, in the province of North Kivu. This delegation, made up of 11 members, including 4 Congolese, aimed to assess the evolution of the security situation in the region and to assess the threat posed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group from Uganda active in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ADF have been accused of being responsible for the killings of civilians in the Beni and Ituri region for several years.
Discussions with local authorities:
During their visit, the members of the ICGLR delegation had the opportunity to meet the mayor of the city of Beni, as well as the commander of the Congolese National Police (PNC). They discussed the security situation in the region and gathered valuable information on the actions taken to deal with the ADF threat.
Accurate rendering of the situation:
At the end of their various meetings, the head of the delegation, Peter Kissara, of Kenyan nationality, said he was enlightened on the security situation in Beni. He promised to faithfully return the information collected to the officials of the member countries of the ICGLR. This restitution will allow a better understanding of the situation by all the States of the Great Lakes region and will facilitate the coordination of actions to fight against armed groups and ensure the safety of populations.
The challenges of the delegation’s visit:
The presence of the ICGLR delegation in Beni is of great importance as the region faces major security challenges. The repeated attacks by the ADF have caused the death of many civilians and created a permanent climate of insecurity. The delegation’s visit will draw the international community’s attention to the situation and mobilize more resources to build capacity to fight against armed groups.
Conclusion :
The mission of the ICGLR delegation to Beni to assess the security situation and the threat of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) represents an important step in the search for lasting solutions to ensure the security of the populations of the Great Lakes region. By faithfully restoring the information collected, the ICGLR will be able to contribute to a better coordination of actions between the Member States and to the mobilization of resources to put an end to the insecurity raging in the Beni region