In the space of two days this week, the Eringeti-Kainama region was the scene of three attacks perpetrated by the ADF, as reported by local civil society. This resurgence of insecurity has aroused great concern among the population and the military authorities present on the spot.
According to Jonas Zawadi, president of the civil society of the Banande Kainama group, this area is nevertheless supposed to be under the control of the FARDC soldiers. He therefore called urgently for the deployment of joint FARDC-UPDF forces to ensure the safety of users of the Eringeti-Kainama road, which is now the only route linking the territory of Beni to the province of Ituri.
Civil society thus proposes that the FARDC-UPDF coalition broaden its positions on this particularly dangerous section, up to the entrance to Eringeti. This measure would deter ADF attacks and restore a climate of security for the inhabitants and travelers of the region.
Contacted by Radio Okapi, the spokesman for joint FARDC-UPDF operations said that this request was being studied within the coordination of joint operations. It is crucial that concrete measures be taken quickly to stem this resurgence of violence in the region and ensure the protection of populations.
It is important to emphasize that these ADF attacks on the Eringeti-Kainama road are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader context of security threats in the Great Lakes region, where armed groups continue to sow terror and cause massive population displacements.
It is therefore imperative that the Congolese authorities and the international security forces coordinate their efforts to fight effectively against these armed groups and restore stability in the region. A reinforced presence of the joint FARDC-UPDF forces on the Eringeti-Kainama road would be a first step towards this objective.
In conclusion, the resurgence of ADF attacks on the Eringeti-Kainama road is a major concern for civil society and local populations. There is an urgent need for concrete measures to be taken to ensure the safety of residents and travelers in this region. The proposed deployment of joint FARDC-UPDF forces on this stretch of road is a possible solution that deserves to be studied and implemented to restore peace and security in the Great Lakes region