The situation in Ituri is alarming because of the armed conflicts taking place in this province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The national deputy, Emmanuel Apuobo Leku, elected from the Mambasa constituency, recently expressed his concern about this during an interview with POLITICO.CD.
According to him, the cause of armed conflicts in this region has changed since 2017, which makes the situation even more complex. Initially linked to a struggle for access to land, the war has evolved into a broader socio-economic conflict, which may even transcend tribal considerations.
Furthermore, the military governor of Ituri, Lieutenant-General Johnny Luboya Nkashama, was unable to take concrete measures to resolve the situation. According to Emmanuel Apuobo Leku, it is time for the state to lift the state of siege in force in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu since May 2021, as it has not produced the expected results.
With regard to disarmament operations and dialogue between armed groups, the deputy expressed doubts as to the results of these attempts. He proposes that Governor Johnny Luboya Nkashama’s mission be accomplished before considering this type of solution.
The situation in Ituri therefore remains uncertain and worrying. The Congolese authorities must find effective solutions to put an end to these conflicts in order to protect the vulnerable populations of the region.