Scenes of violence are currently shaking the region of Oicha, in the territory of Beni. In the space of a week, at least 14 people have lost their lives in the villages surrounding the town of Mamove, on the border between the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.
According to local civil society, the attacks are attributed to fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The first attacks took place in the villages of Kalalangwe and Mamdimo, where eight civilians were violently murdered while working in their fields. These attacks then spread to the neighboring villages of Tchani-Tchani and Mambau, where six other farmers lost their lives.
Mamove civil society points out the complicity of certain residents with the rebels. According to the president of this organization, some civilians pose as members of the ADF and provide them with basic necessities. A collaboration which would be at the origin of this violence.
These attacks unfortunately occur in an area where joint military operations between the Congolese and Ugandan armies are rare. Civil society is therefore calling on the Ugandan army to deploy in this region to put an end to this violence and track down the attackers.
It is regrettable to note that the situation in the Oicha region continues to deteriorate, endangering the lives of residents and disrupting their agricultural activities. The collaboration between some civilians and the rebels is only worsening the situation and the authorities must take firmer measures to ensure the safety of the populations.