The territory of Beni, in the province of North Kivu, was once again the scene of deadly attacks perpetrated by ADF rebels. From Tuesday May 4 to Friday May 7, more than 72 people lost their lives in villages in the Baswagha-Madiwe group. These acts of violence have sowed terror among local populations, forced to flee in search of safety.
The poignant stories of young volunteers from Cantine and Mabalako, accompanied by security forces, bear witness to the brutality of these attacks. The macabre toll includes the discovery of 42 bodies of murdered civilians in Masala, as well as 30 other victims in Masau, Mununze, Kabweke and Manlese. In addition to the human lives taken, the rebels also looted material goods, notably taking 25 motorcycles and burning several homes.
The horror of the events forced many residents to abandon their homes to find refuge in Kyatsaba, Beni or Mabalako, where the General Reference Hospital is crumbling under the influx of wounded. Faced with this humanitarian crisis, the armed forces have strengthened their presence in the region, offering a semblance of security to the vulnerable populations remaining there.
Since the beginning of May, civil society in Beni has counted no less than 123 civilians killed during attacks attributed to ADF rebels. The villages of Bapakombe-Pendekali, Mangina, Mantumbi, Kudukudu, Kalmango and Beu-Manyama were the scene of unprecedented violence, plunging the region into a climate of fear and uncertainty.
Faced with this recurring tragedy, it is imperative that long-term measures be taken to ensure the security of the inhabitants of Beni and put an end to the impunity of armed groups. The population of this devastated region deserves to live in peace and security, far from the incessant violence that blights their daily lives.