In the Democratic Republic of Congo, clashes continue to rage between the Mbolé and Lenga communities, creating a situation of extreme tension in the Tshopo province. Over the past weekend, six civilians unfortunately lost their lives, bringing the total death toll to more than 500 since February.
This alarming figure exceeds that initially reported by security and independent sources, which reported 250 victims. The crisis is becoming increasingly worrying, as it is getting dangerously close to the city of Kisangani, capital of the Tshopo province.
According to Mateus Kanga, spokesperson for the provincial governor, there was a lull of five to six days, with the exception of an attack yesterday where the attackers managed to reach a locality located 184 km from Kisangani. . Since the start of the conflict in February, more than 70,000 people have been displaced, often taking refuge with host families.
The situation is all the more alarming as many children are affected by this conflict. Homes are burned, the need for food increases and health conditions deteriorate. The province is no longer able to provide adequate assistance due to financial constraints.
Faced with the threat of excesses, the national government deployed a squadron of 150 police officers to maintain order in crisis areas. However, it seems that the conflict goes beyond the provincial authorities, who find themselves overwhelmed by the situation.
The origins of the conflict date back eight months, when the Mbolé accused the Lenga of having ceded their land to a company for a 20-year occupation. However, this dispute quickly turned into a spiral of violence, marked by assassinations and reprisals.
It is essential to emphasize that the crisis in the DRC only aggravates the suffering of populations already weakened by years of armed conflict and poverty. The humanitarian needs in the region are dire, both in terms of food, medical care and protection of civilians.
It is now crucial that the international community and regional actors work together to end this cycle of violence and to support reconstruction and development efforts in the Tshopo region. The local population deserves peace and stability, as well as access to the resources needed to rebuild their lives.