Insecurity is still growing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ethnic violence ravaging the provinces of Kwango and Mai-Ndombo (Kwamouth) continues to spread. In recent weeks, we have witnessed the rise of another phenomenon, the “Mobondo” who sow terror in the outskirts of Kinshasa, particularly in the commune of Maluku.
The “Mobondo” phenomenon is not new, it originated in Kwamouth, following a bloody conflict between the Teke and Yaka communities. These militiamen, mostly armed with machetes and wearing red headbands around their foreheads, sing threatening war songs. Considered as hordes, they then entrenched themselves at Batshongo in Kwango.
This insecurity which extends towards the west would not be without links with the political figures and notabilities which incite the populations to massacre the others, according to the report of the government. This thesis is nevertheless denied by the state authorities, who see it rather as political manipulation.
To deal with this disastrous situation, the Deputy Prime Minister for the Interior, Security and Customary Affairs, Peter Kazadi traveled to Kwamouth to take the temperature of the situation there and see “the progress” that has been made by the security services. At the same time, he also reported on the activism of armed and terrorist groups in the provinces of Ituri and Tanganyika and the presence of elements not yet identified in the province of Kongo-Central, mainly in the territory of Lukula.
In this atmosphere of insecurity, the Democratic Republic of Congo sadly celebrates the World Day Against Child Labour. In Kisangani, a sad reality was unveiled through a series of workshops held to raise awareness among the population and especially the political authorities of the city. In addition, a humanitarian crisis could take shape in the country with the insecurity which prevents blood donations in this period of urgent needs.
In short, the current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is worrying and calls for vigilance and the strengthening of measures, in particular to prevent the spread of violence. Private initiatives to strengthen the middle class and the development of SMEs are welcome to get out of this situation