The release of one hundred and ten civilian ex-hostages from the hands of the ADF by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) caused great relief in the regions of Beni and Mambasa. These hostages, who had been kidnapped by the ADF from their fields in Ndalya and Mambelenga, managed to escape after 45 days of captivity, taking advantage of joint military operations carried out by the FARDC and the UPDF in the region.
During an official handover ceremony, the FARDC handed over these ex-hostages to civil society organizations in Beni and Mambasa. Bernard Oba Babaya, the civil society coordinator of Mambasa, expressed his gratitude to the army for its protection and vigilance. He emphasizes that ex-hostages need support for their reintegration into the community.
For their part, the FARDC called on civil society to alert them in the event of the presence of suspects, in order to preserve peace and security in the region. Captain Anthony Mwalushayi, spokesperson for Sokola 1 operations, stressed the importance of collaboration between the military and civil society to combat enemies of peace.
Among these one hundred and ten ex-hostages are residents of the territories of Mambasa and Irumu in Ituri, as well as Eringeti and Oicha in the territory of Beni in North Kivu. Their release is an important step towards restoring security in the region and the fight against armed groups operating in eastern DRC.
This release also demonstrates the commitment of the Congolese armed forces to the protection of civilians and the fight against armed groups. The operations carried out by the FARDC and the UPDF made it possible to reduce the influence of the ADF and free many hostages. However, much work remains to be done to completely eradicate the threat of armed groups in the region.
The release of these ex-hostages is a ray of hope for the inhabitants of Beni and Mambasa, who have lived for too long in fear and insecurity. It also shows that coordination between the armed forces and civil society is essential to ensure the protection of civilians and the stabilization of the region.
In conclusion, the release of the one hundred and ten former ADF hostages by the FARDC is an important event in the fight against armed groups in eastern DRC. However, it is crucial that efforts continue to ensure the safety and reintegration of communities affected by these groups. Collaboration between the military and civil society is essential to guarantee peace and stability in the region.