In the heart of the territory of Beni, in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the village of Kyanganda was the scene of a brutal drama which cost the lives of at least 14 civilians during an attack perpetrated by armed men. This tragedy, which occurred on the night of Friday to Saturday June 22, plunged the local community into fear and pain.
Civil society in the region has strongly condemned what it describes as “laxity” of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) in the face of the increase in attacks targeting civilians. She denounces a lack of responsiveness on the part of the military authorities in the face of alerts issued by the population regarding imminent threats, particularly those coming from the ADF rebels who are active in the region. These repeated attacks endanger the security of residents, forcing them to flee their homes and seek refuge in areas considered safer.
Civil society representatives also reported the disappearance of several people and the burning of houses, exacerbating the climate of fear and instability that reigns in the region. The administrator of the Lubero territory, Colonel Alain Kiwewa, returning from the field, also confirmed these sad events. He calls for the unity and solidarity of the population to stand together in the face of this indiscriminate violence which is affecting many families.
In a message of encouragement, Colonel Kiwewa urged the population to maintain their confidence in the local authorities and the army, guarantors of the security of citizens. He underlined the essential mission of the army which consists of protecting the population and its property, thus calling for collective collaboration and mobilization to counter the negative forces which threaten the stability of the region.
The situation in Beni is more worrying than ever, requiring immediate and effective measures to put an end to this violence perpetrated against innocent civilians. It is time for the international community and the Congolese authorities to join forces to restore peace and security in this region ravaged by armed conflicts. Solidarity, support and concerted action are the keys to overcoming these challenges and offering a better future to the inhabitants of Beni and its surroundings.