“Arrest of the leaders of the Lumumbiste Nationalist Movement armed group in Mambasa”
In a recent security operation carried out in Mambasa, several sources announced the arrest of seven leaders of the armed group “Mouvement Nationaliste Lumumbiste”. This arrest comes as part of the state of siege declared in the province of Ituri, an exceptional measure aimed at combating the activism of armed groups in the region.
According to information provided by military intelligence services, these leaders were arrested four days ago and are currently detained. Although this information has not yet been officially confirmed by the military authorities, John Vuleverio, civil society coordinator, denounced this arrest. According to him, it risks having a negative impact on the process of demobilization, disarmament, community recovery and stabilization (PDDRC-S), while these militiamen had only just surrendered.
In addition, UN radio reported that some militiamen pre-cantoned in Kasoko have already started to return to their former strongholds, which constitutes a major threat to the local population. This situation raises concerns about the effectiveness of the security measures put in place and the capacity to protect the population in the Mambasa region.
It is important to emphasize that the arrest of these leaders of the Lumumbiste Nationalist Movement comes in a context where the fight against armed groups in the DRC is a priority. Congolese authorities and security forces are working to end the violence and insecurity plaguing parts of the country.
Pending an official reaction from the military authorities, it is essential to closely monitor the evolution of this situation and ensure that the measures taken really contribute to the stabilization of the Mambasa region and the protection of civilians. The fight against armed groups in the DRC remains a major challenge, but actions like this are a first step towards a more secure future for all Congolese.