Recent news has been marked by an alarming incident on July 1, 2023 in Lokutu, where an armed militia attacked the employees of Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC). This attack not only disrupted the company’s activities, but also caused serious injuries to one of the employees, who was urgently hospitalized.
Faced with this situation, the company’s industrial guards quickly sought help from the police. Unfortunately, the police were also attacked by the assailants when they arrived at the scene. A police officer was injured and a firearm was seized. In addition, an industrial guard was taken hostage.
The competent authorities quickly launched an investigation to identify those responsible for this attack. Among those arrested is Mr. Alphonse BOSUKI MBANGA, the Head of the Bokala-Wamba Grouping, from which the armed militia originated. Thanks to their intervention, the industrial guard taken hostage was finally released.
This attack seems to be a reaction to the arrest of thieves from the Bokala-Wamba group, caught in the act of felling palm trees belonging to the PHC. Despite extensive dialogue and awareness-raising efforts between PHC community engagement teams and local residents, illegal logging of palm trees has persisted. The local authorities therefore took action and made the necessary arrests.
PHC strongly condemns this attack, which caused significant material losses to the company, but also physical injuries to members of the local community employed by PHC and law enforcement. The company reaffirms its commitment to maintain good neighborly relations with local communities and to continue its work for shared prosperity, in line with the vision of its new management.
For more information on the Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC), you can visit their website at the following address: www.phc-congo.com.
This new incident once again highlights the security challenges facing the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is essential to strengthen security measures to protect local businesses and communities, while continuing dialogue and awareness-raising efforts to prevent such acts of violence.