Arrested in Kenge in Kwango province by the armed forces of the military region of Kikwit, 63 Mobondo militiamen were recently brought to justice and sentenced to 20 years of penal servitude by the military garrison court of Kikwit, Kwilu and Kwango. Among them, only one was sentenced to death for the murder of Colonel Bienvenu Kabwe during the attack on the village of Bashongo. This sentence testifies to the will of the authorities to put an end to the violence between the Teke and Yaka factions, which have already claimed hundreds of victims in recent months.
According to sources close to the case, about fifteen defendants were acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence. Despite this, the verdict testifies to a desire to restore order and peace in the region. As part of this fight against the Mobondo militiamen, the armed forces have intensified their efforts and recently succeeded in capturing several rebels during tracking operations.
The Mobondo armed group was born out of a land dispute between the Teke and Yaka communities. According to Human Rights Watch, this conflict has already caused more than 300 deaths in less than a year. The Congolese authorities affirmed during a ministerial meeting that the hunt for Mobondo militiamen would continue in order to definitively restore peace and state authority in the region.
Beyond this condemnation, it is essential to underline the efforts of the armed forces to neutralize the armed groups in the east of the DRC. Recently, a joint operation neutralized 16 ADF terrorists, another armed group operating in the North Kivu region. This testifies to the desire of the Congolese authorities to strengthen regional cooperation to fight against these armed groups and put an end to insecurity in the east of the country.
Alongside these security efforts, the Congolese government is also calling for dialogue to restore stability and peace in the country. Lay Catholics have recently launched an appeal in this direction in order to find lasting solutions in the face of the persistent crisis.
Finally, it is important to remain vigilant regarding the situation of the Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes, which are currently on alert. Monitoring and prevention of any potential risk is essential to ensure the safety of populations living near these active volcanoes.
In conclusion, the condemnation of the Mobondo militiamen in Kikwit testifies to the authorities’ efforts to restore peace and order in the Kwango region. These actions are part of a broader dynamic of the fight against armed groups in the DRC, with in particular the neutralization of ADF terrorists in the east of the country. However, the search for lasting solutions and dialogue remain important elements in achieving real stability and lasting peace. Let’s therefore remain vigilant, especially in the face of natural hazards such as volcanoes, to ensure the safety of all