Cocoa is a precious and essential product for many communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the recent discovery of two dead bodies of a couple working in a cocoa field in Bandundundu, Mambasa territory, is a tragedy that highlights the serious challenges facing farmers in this region.
According to the New Congolese Civil Society (NSCC), it appears that these victims were murdered by armed bandits posing as members of pseudo-rebel groups, with the aim of plundering cocoa harvests. This practice, condemned by the coordinator of the NSCC, Babombi Edela, has unfortunately become common in the Bandundundu region, disturbing the tranquility of the already hard-pressed local population.
Civil society is therefore calling on the authorities to act quickly to put an end to these criminal acts and protect farmers who risk their lives to cultivate their land. Babombi Edela Mussa invites the population to mobilize against these malicious individuals, who not only undermine the security of residents, but also compromise the local economy, based largely on agriculture.
This situation is all the more worrying as the number of victims continues to increase. In the space of a week, three people lost their lives in similar circumstances in Bandundundu. It is urgent that concrete measures be taken to identify and neutralize the culprits, and guarantee the safety of farmers and their families.
Cocoa cultivation should be a source of prosperity and development for local communities. Unfortunately, it has become the playground of unscrupulous bandits, ready to do anything to enrich themselves at the expense of others. It is time to put an end to this spiral of violence and insecurity, and to allow farmers to work in complete peace to ensure their livelihood and contribute to the development of the region.
It is essential that justice is served and those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice. The international community must also provide support to strengthen security in rural areas and protect farmers who are the real actors in the sustainable development of the Democratic Republic of Congo. All together, we can ensure that cocoa remains a symbol of wealth and pride for the Congolese people.