On June 18, 2023, Augustin Matata, former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, arrived in Bunia, capital of Ituri province. A city that has experienced great violence in recent days, with the massacre of more than forty people in the Lala displaced persons site, attributed to the militiamen of the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO).
Senator Matata Ponyo exchanged with the local population on issues related to peace, security, as well as the stability of the exchange rate. This trip comes after the accusations made by Matata Ponyo against the Presidency of the Republic and the services of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) which prevented him from making his trip to Ituri the day before.
Upon his arrival, Matata was greeted by the mayor of the town of Bunia, the higher commissioner Mbuyi Kola Jean Bosco. This Congolese opponent remains very active on social networks, mentioning several current topics, ranging from the resumption of military operations in the province of Ituri to put an end to the killings of civilians, to the humanitarian crisis of Central African refugees in the DRC.
In this province, the FARDC authorities are on high alert after a terrorist attack on the Congolese border. In this very tense context, football has become a symbol of hope for peace in the DRC: FC Hopimasi, for example, won a victory in the quarter-finals of Valentin Kaneno’s peace tournament over the Las Masisi team.
In parallel with these events, IOB SARL has become an essential reference in mining subcontracting in the DRC, a symbol of an emerging local economy. Despite the difficult context, Kibali Gold Mining also stands out as an example of environmental preservation in the world of mining in the DRC.
Finally, the Democratic Republic of Congo also lost this week one of its journalists committed to freedom of the press, Mbuyi Tshibuabua, underlining the importance of the defense of human rights in this country.