Title: The state of siege in Ituri and North Kivu: A growing demand for its lifting
Introduction :
For several years, the security situation in Ituri and North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been worrying. Faced with growing insecurity, the government decided to implement a state of siege in May 2023. However, many civil society actors, in particular young people, are now demanding the lifting of this measure and the restoration of civil power. In this article, we will analyze the reasons for this growing demand and the consequences of the state of siege on the local populations.
A failed state of siege:
According to young people from the east of the country, the state of siege in Ituri and North Kivu is seen as a failure. They refer to a United Nations report which indicates an increase in the number of victims since the introduction of this exceptional measure. From June 2020 to March 2022, the number of victims rose from 559 to 1,261, which demonstrates the ineffectiveness of the state of siege in the fight against insecurity.
Recommendations from the roundtable:
A roundtable was recently held to discuss the state of siege in Ituri and North Kivu. The participants, from different institutions and the provinces concerned, formulated several recommendations intended for the President of the Republic. These recommendations were analyzed through three commissions and will serve as a basis for deciding whether to lift, requalify or maintain the state of siege.
The voice of youth:
The young people, through their coordinator, Alain Shukuru, are fervent defenders of the lifting of the state of siege. They believe that this exceptional measure did not bring the expected results and instead had harmful consequences for the local populations. They plead in favor of a return to a more responsible civil power and an approach based on the socio-economic development of the regions concerned.
The consequences of the state of siege:
In addition to the impact on security, the state of siege has repercussions on various aspects of the daily life of the inhabitants of Ituri and North Kivu. Basic infrastructure is often neglected and development efforts are slowed down. In addition, fundamental freedoms are restricted, which creates a climate of tension and instability. It is therefore essential to carefully assess the advantages and disadvantages of the state of siege in order to find lasting solutions to guarantee the security and well-being of the populations.
Conclusion :
The growing demand for the lifting of the state of siege in Ituri and North Kivu highlights the dissatisfaction of young people and civil society actors with the effectiveness of this measure. It is essential that the government take into account these legitimate concerns and explore other approaches to combat insecurity and promote development in these regions