The Wazalendo militia is currently at the center of an affair which is causing serious concern in the Nyamilima zone, located in the Binza groupement, in the territory of Rutshuru, in the province of North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to information provided by Aimée Mbusa, a notable from Rutshuru, the Wazalendo militia has been imposing an illegal tax in the region for more than a year. Every month, the population is forced to pay a sum of 1,000 Congolese francs, or approximately 0.5 US dollars. This tax, known as the “Vodo tax”, allows the militia to collect more than 20,000 US dollars each month, an exorbitant sum for a population already suffering from economic difficulties and insecurity.
The presence of the Wazalendo militia and the payment of this tax can be explained by the absence of state authority in the region. Despite numerous calls from the population to restore order and security, the Congolese government seems to have abandoned this area, leaving it to its own devices.
Aimée Mbusa also deplores the fact that even travelers taking the Nguenda-Ishasha section, towards the Congolese-Ugandan border, are forced to pay this tax at each barrier. This situation shows the extent of control exercised by the Wazalendo militia over the population and economic activities of the region.
Faced with this worrying situation, the notable of Rutshuru firmly asks the Congolese government to restore state authority in the region and guarantee the security and well-being of the population. It is essential to put an end to this illegal exploitation of the population by an armed militia and to ensure that the income generated in the region can be used for the benefit of local development.
It is time for the Congolese government to take concrete steps to restore peace, security and state authority in areas affected by the activism of armed groups. The population of Nyamilima, like so many other regions in the DRC, deserves to live in a safe environment and to be able to devote themselves to the development of their community, rather than suffering exploitation and insecurity imposed by armed militias.
This situation also highlights the importance of the role of the media and bloggers in raising public awareness and denouncing human rights violations and the exploitation of populations. By publishing articles and highlighting the issues facing communities, we help raise their voices and encourage the actions needed to end these injustices.
It is crucial to continue to bring this matter to the attention of the public and the relevant authorities, so that concrete measures can be taken to protect the population of Nyamilima and end the hold of the Wazalendo militia. Justice and security must prevail, and state authority must be restored to ensure a better future for all people in this region.