Title: Persistent Road Safety Challenges in Ituri and North Kivu, DRC
Introduction :
The security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains worrying, particularly in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, which have been under siege for more than two years. Attacks by armed men continue to wreak havoc, particularly in the area of road safety. More than 100 transport vehicles have been set on fire in the past seven months, according to the Federation of Congo Enterprises (FEC). This persistent insecurity and the dilapidated state of the roads represent major challenges for economic operators in the region.
A persistent problem:
Attacks on transport vehicles have become commonplace in Ituri and North Kivu. ADF terrorists are often singled out as the perpetrators of these fires. The economic operators of the Beni-Lubero group, in North Kivu, also highlight the Kanyabayonga-Rutsuru and Mambasa-Komanda-Luna sections as being the most dangerous in terms of road safety. These rebel attacks jeopardize traffic and trade in these regions.
The economic consequences:
Road insecurity has a significant impact on the local economy. Burned vehicles and destroyed goods cause significant material damage to economic operators. These attacks disrupt the flow of goods and merchandise, thus affecting the economic development of the region. Despite the establishment of secure convoys for vehicles, cases of fires continue to be documented, which underlines the extent of the security challenge facing the region.
Call to action:
Faced with this alarming situation, economic operators in Ituri and North Kivu sent a memorandum to the governors of the two provinces, calling for urgent action. They ask the provincial authorities to strengthen security and rehabilitate the most dangerous roads. Securing these roads is essential to allow free movement of vehicles and facilitate trade in the region.
Conclusion :
Securing the roads in Ituri and North Kivu remains a major challenge in the region. The recurrent attacks against transport vehicles have disastrous consequences on the local economy. Economic operators are calling for urgent action from the authorities to reinforce security and rehabilitate the most dangerous roads. Improved road safety will promote the economic development of the region and improve the quality of life of the inhabitants