The issue of river transport security in the province of Maniema, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, remains a major concern for civil society. The recent tragedy of the sinking of a whaling boat on the Congo River, resulting in the loss of several lives, has highlighted the multiple shortcomings of the system of surveillance and regulation of maritime activities in the region.
Maniema civil society (SOCIMA) strongly condemned the inaction and supposed complicity of public service officials operating in the Kindu beaches. According to her, the latter would be involved in fraudulent practices promoting disorder and endangering the lives of passengers. By calling for their immediate replacement, SOCIMA highlights the urgency of restoring citizens’ confidence in local authorities.
The accusations of fraud, corruption and illicit enrichment against the heads of specialized services underline the need for rapid and transparent action by the competent authorities. Independent and thorough investigations must be carried out to establish responsibility and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
In this period of mourning and contemplation for the families bereaved by the tragedy of the shipwreck, SOCIMA expresses its most sincere condolences. She welcomes the initiative of the Maniema provincial government to grant three days of mourning and cover funeral costs, while emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of maritime transport in the future.
The tragic toll of the sinking of the whaling boat on Kambole beach in Kindu, with the number of victims increased to 36 according to provincial authorities, recalls the urgency of improving security and surveillance standards in the region. It is imperative that the lessons of this tragedy be learned in order to prevent such a tragedy from happening again in the future.
In conclusion, the safety of river transport in the province of Maniema must be an absolute priority for the authorities and stakeholders concerned. Transparency, accountability and commitment to the protection of citizens must guide all actions aimed at improving navigation conditions on the Congo River and guaranteeing the safety of all travelers.