Fatshimetrie, the popular Congolese news site, recently gave a column to John Vuleveryo, an activist and prominent civil society actor in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this exclusive interview published on May 10, 2024, Vuleveryo raised alarming concerns regarding the presence of two “major strongholds” of ADF rebels in the Menzi-Menzi region, located in Mambasa territory, in Ituri province.
Residents of Menzi-Menzi and surrounding villages face repeated attacks from these rebels, causing terror and insecurity among the local population. The harrowing accounts of civilians who narrowly escaped these attacks bear witness to the brutality and constant threat these outlaws pose to the region.
John Vuleveryo underlines that the ADF rebels are actively planning actions aimed at destabilizing the entities of the chiefdoms of Babila Babombi and Bakwanza, in the territory of Mambasa. He calls on the authorities to take concrete and immediate measures to neutralize these strongholds in order to guarantee the security and well-being of the region’s inhabitants.
The urgency of dismantling these rebel strongholds is clear to Vuleveryo, who insists on the need to launch large-scale military operations to eradicate the presence of the ADF in the region. He warns of the risk that the persistence of these armed groups represents for stability and peace in the region.
Despite urgent calls from civil society and residents of the region, the reaction of the military authorities remains pending. Fatshimetrie has attempted to contact the authorities for clarification on the measures planned to counter the threat from ADF rebels, but responses are still pending.
In conclusion, the precarious situation in the Menzi-Menzi region is a wake-up call for the Congolese authorities and the international community. It is imperative to act quickly and effectively to put an end to the presence of ADF rebels and guarantee the security of local populations. The peace and stability of the region depend on it.
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