Terrorism is once again hitting the Ituri region in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A new attack perpetrated by ADF terrorists caused the death of 4 people in three mining squares of the Babila Bakwanga group, located in the territory of Mambasa.
According to information collected by civil society in the region and corroborated by Maître Laurent Kyeya, coordinator of the NGO Convention for the Development of Forest People (CODEPEF), this incursion took place in the independent quarries of Lyolo and Risi. The attackers also set fire to the homes of the local population.
The administrator of the Mambasa territory, Jean-Baptiste Matadi, confirmed this information and specified that the ADF terrorists, who are being tracked in the southeast by the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and Uganda (UPDF), seek to survive following the military operations carried out against them.
Faced with this situation, he calls on the population to remain calm and to trust the Congolese authorities as well as the army. This attack once again highlights the persistent threat posed by the ADF terrorist group in the Ituri region.
In a context where security is paramount, it is crucial that the authorities intensify their efforts to neutralize these armed groups and ensure the protection of local populations. The fight against terrorism must remain a priority in order to guarantee peace and stability in the Ituri region.
At the same time, it is important to highlight the courage of civil society in Ituri, which does not hesitate to bear witness to these attacks and to raise public awareness of security issues. Their commitment and their contribution are essential in the fight against terrorism and in building a safer and fairer society.
Let’s hope that these tragic events will serve as a reminder to the authorities and international actors to redouble their efforts in the fight against terrorism in the Democratic Republic of the Congo