Fatshimetrie, August 13, 2024 – The sad reality of deserted villages along the Kisangani-Ubundu axis in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a testament to the devastating consequences of the intercommunal conflict between the Mbole and the Lengola. The traces of destruction and devastation left behind are glaring, with homes burned and populations displaced, leaving behind once vibrant communities now ghosts.
Ubundu provincial MP Ghislain Mogenya expresses his dismay with emotion as he walks along this axis that was once peaceful but is now marked by emptiness and silence. The villages, once bustling with daily life, are now ghost villages, silent witnesses to the conflict that tore them apart.
This situation has not only caused material and human losses, but has also had a significant impact on the socio-economic situation of local populations. People have been forced to flee, leaving behind their homes and livelihoods, creating a palpable void and despair in the region.
Hope lies, however, in the prospect of the rehabilitation of the Kisangani-Ubundu road, a project that could encourage people to return to their villages, rebuild what has been destroyed and regain some semblance of normalcy in their lives. The rehabilitation of this road could symbolise a renewal for these communities ravaged by conflict, offering them the opportunity to rebuild and regain hope for the future.
It is essential to recognise the need for continued support and concerted efforts to accompany the populations affected by this conflict, providing them with the resources and assistance needed to rebuild their lives and communities. Reconstruction is not limited to repairing physical damage, but also encompasses healing the emotional and social trauma inflicted by the conflict.
Ultimately, the resilience and determination of local populations to rebuild and recover from these tragic events is a testament to the power of hope and humanity’s ability to overcome adversity. It is time to turn the page on the painful past and open a new chapter of reconciliation, reconstruction and renewal for the deserted villages along the Kisangani-Ubundu axis.