The security situation in Ituri remains critical. During his visit to the province, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, indicated that despite the joint efforts deployed, many challenges remain. Recent events confirm that the region needs collective action to guarantee peace and security for the populations.
Indeed, attacks by armed groups CODECO and Zaire against civilians have intensified, causing the death of some forty people in just one week in the Djugu territory. These acts of violence are fueling intercommunity tensions that had nevertheless experienced a respite thanks to the dialogues initiated by the provincial authorities with the support of MONUSCO.
The aborted attack attempt by the CODECO group against the displaced persons camps in Lala and the Savo plain underlines the urgency of the situation. Fortunately, the peacekeepers and the armed forces of the DRC were able to repel the assault, thus protecting vulnerable civilians.
The meeting between Jean-Pierre Lacroix and the Governor of Ituri, General Johnny Luboya Nkashama, provided an opportunity to discuss the security and humanitarian challenges that persist in the region. This interaction underlines the need for close cooperation between local authorities and international partners to stabilize the situation.
As part of his visit, Jean-Pierre Lacroix plans to meet with displaced persons to better understand their needs and assess the measures to be put in place to guarantee their protection. This initiative demonstrates the United Nations’ commitment to making the peacekeeping and security mandate in Ituri effective.
In these difficult times, it is essential to remain vigilant and determined in the fight against insecurity and violence that threaten the lives of local populations. The international community must continue to support stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Ituri in order to establish a climate of lasting peace in the region.