In the heart of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Tongo and Bukombo region in the Bwito chiefdom, as well as the Binza area in the north of Rutshuru territory, remain areas of tension and violence. Recent clashes between Wazalendo fighters and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group have left traces of desolation and fear among local populations.
The inhabitants of the villages of Marangara and Runzenze are forced to flee, leaving behind their homes and lands, seeking refuge in safer places such as Rushege, Rushovu and Hohe. The ravages perpetrated by elements of armed groups, in the form of recurrent exactions and looting, have created a climate of constant and oppressive insecurity.
In this region already scarred by decades of conflict and instability, the arrival of Wazalendo fighters has accentuated pre-existing tensions. Their incursions into villages abandoned by the M23 rebels have rekindled the fears and trauma of local populations, caught between two rival armed forces.
Once again, the civilian population finds itself trapped in a conflict beyond its control, forced to face violence and uncertainty about its future. Massive population displacement and forced abandonment of their homes only worsen an already precarious humanitarian situation, highlighting the urgent need for an effective and coordinated intervention to protect civilians and restore peace in the region.
As the international community watches with concern the escalation of violence in this part of North Kivu, it is imperative to implement concrete measures to put an end to the abuses of armed groups and guarantee the security of civilians. The stability and prosperity of the region depend on peace and security for all its people, and it is time to take decisive steps to end this cycle of violence and insecurity that hinders the development of this region and threatens the lives of thousands of innocent people.