For more than two years, the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri have been under a state of siege, an exceptional measure aimed at making the region safer. However, this measure fails to solve the problems of growing insecurity in the region, in particular due to the attacks of the armed group M23 and ADF terrorism.
The population of the North Kivu region criticizes this measure, which does not seem to have solved the security problems in the region. The Bishop of the Diocese of Goma, Msgr. Willy Ngumbi, recently expressed the Catholic Church’s concern over the state of siege, calling for an assessment of the possibility of lifting it. According to him, the situation is very worrying and the measure does not fulfill its mission.
Lately, new fighting has been reported between the Wazalendo self-defense groups and the M23 in Rutshuru territory, while the Congolese army has warned of the reinforcement of M23 terrorists by Rwandan soldiers.
The region continues to face many security challenges. The local population is increasingly worried and asking for lasting solutions to put an end to the prevailing insecurity. Faced with this situation, it is more than ever necessary to intensify efforts to establish lasting peace in the eastern region of the DRC.