The security crisis in the province of Ituri continues to worry the authorities and the inhabitants. However, a glimmer of hope appeared with the signing of a roadmap by four active armed groups in the region. These are the patriotic resistance force of Ituri (FRPI), the cooperative for the development of Congo (CODECO), the patriotic and integrationist force of Congo (FRPI) and the self-defense movement of the province of ‘Ituri (MAPI) who have decided to unite to work for peace, security and social cohesion in the region.
Thus, at the end of an inter-armed group dialogue held in Aru, the capital of the territory that bears the same name, these groups signed a memorandum of understanding in which they firmly undertake to cease all hostility and all violence, facilitate the free movement of people and goods, no longer circulate with military and police weapons and clues. Furthermore, these groups recommend that both the national and provincial government, as well as the international community, support the implementation of this roadmap.
For his part, Major General Chirimwami Peter, who represents the military governor of Ituri, and Lieutenant General Johnny Luboya N’Kashama call for the sustainability of the achievements of this dialogue and for the appropriation by the local communities because these resolutions aim at stability of the region.
However, this meeting does not solve all the problems related to the security crisis in the region. The authorities will have to invest more to stabilize the region. However, the news of the unification of these armed groups is an important step for the future of the Ituri region.