In the Kibati groupement, located in the Nyiragongo territory in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a worrying situation has recently emerged. Two people have been missing since the beginning of September: an ICRC agent in charge of guarding a drinking water supply tank in the Munigi group, and a pastor from the CEPAC/Kibati Church.
The events that took place on September 8, 2023 caused concern in the region. Shots rang out in the village of Byungu, where the team leader of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Justice Kiyo, was drilling for water. The attackers managed to kidnap him, leaving residents without news of his whereabouts. A few days later, on September 12, the pastor of the 8th CEPAC of Kibati was also kidnapped while seeking treatment in the Nyiragongo health zone.
This series of disappearances has generated great tensions in the Kibati group. Local civil society insistently demanded the unconditional release of these hostages. Residents are deeply concerned about the fate of these individuals and demand immediate action to trace them.
Kibati, located near Kibumba, a town under the control of the M23 rebellion and EAC forces, has been facing security challenges for some time. This new kidnapping situation only accentuates fears and the climate of insecurity in the region.
It is essential to highlight these disappearances and mobilize efforts to find the people concerned. The situation in the Kibati groupement requires particular attention and concerted action on the part of the competent authorities, in order to ensure the safety of the local population and to put an end to this worrying cycle of kidnappings.
It is also important that the international community remains attentive to these events to support efforts to search for missing people and to contribute to the stabilization of the region. Only collective commitment can make it possible to face these security challenges and preserve peace in the locality of Kibati.
The families of those missing live in anguish and uncertainty. It is essential to provide them with help and support, and to do everything possible to find the hostages and return them safely to their loved ones.
It is time to mobilize the necessary resources to respond to this emergency and actively work to resolve this problem. The population of Kibati deserves peace, security and respect for their fundamental rights. It is our duty to help create an environment favorable to their well-being and development.