The United Nations High Commissioner for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, recently made a crucial visit to Bunia, Ituri, to assess the current security and humanitarian situation. Accompanied by Bintou Keita, Head of MONUSCO, Lacroix’s presence in the region came at a critical time marked by an upsurge in violence perpetrated by armed groups CODECO and Zaire against civilians.
These violent acts, which resulted in the deaths of some forty civilians in one week in the Djugu territory, have rekindled community tensions that had been partially eased following dialogues initiated by local authorities with the support of MONUSCO. The failed attack by CODECO on the Lala IDP camps and the Savo plain was repelled by peacekeepers and the FARDC, thus underscoring the importance of international cooperation to ensure the security of local populations.
During his meeting with the Governor of Ituri, General Johnny Luboya Nkashama, Jean-Pierre Lacroix discussed the challenges encountered in terms of security and humanitarian assistance in the province. This field visit also allowed the United Nations High Commissioner to engage with displaced persons to understand in a more concrete way their realities and their needs in terms of protection and humanitarian assistance.
Given the complexity of the situation in Ituri, marked by recurring violence and chronic instability, it is imperative that the international community strengthen its commitment to support local authorities in their efforts to pacificate and protect vulnerable populations. Jean-Pierre Lacroix’s visit underlines the importance of cooperation between the different actors to address the security and humanitarian challenges facing the Ituri region, and demonstrates the need for collective and coordinated action to ensure peace and stability in this part of the DRC.