In a dynamic of preserving peace and security in the provinces of Bas-Uele and Haut-Uele in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the government took strong measures during the recent meeting of the Council of Ministers. The examination of the issue of Mbororo herders, mainly from South Sudan, raised major challenges that the Congolese authorities must face.
The presence of the Mbororo in these regions is largely motivated by the quest for living spaces, a direct consequence of climate change that severely affects North Africa. This reality calls for adequate management, a precise regulatory framework to guarantee peaceful cohabitation between these nomadic herders and local populations.
The report presented by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Jacquemain Shabani, highlights the need for an integrated approach involving various key ministries such as Agriculture, Environment, Land Affairs and Fisheries and Livestock. The creation of an identification commission, in collaboration with the security services, aims to provide concrete responses to the challenges posed by the presence of the Mbororo.
However, it should be noted that these provinces of Bas-Uele and Haut-Uele are facing chronic insecurity, fueled by the presence of foreign armed groups. Faced with this complex reality, the proposal of the Deputy Quaestor of the National Assembly, Grâce Neema Paininye, to set up a military base in Bas-Uele is proving to be a strategic measure to strengthen security in the region and protect local communities.
The Mbororo, armed nomads crossing several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, represent both a cultural wealth and a challenge for the Congolese authorities. Indeed, their incessant movements in search of pastures and competition for natural resources can generate tensions with local populations, jeopardizing the stability of the region.
In this context, it is imperative that the DRC government adopts an inclusive approach, involving all stakeholders, to find sustainable solutions to this problem. Peaceful cohabitation between the Mbororo and local communities, based on mutual respect and sustainable resource management, is essential to ensure harmonious development in these northeastern provinces of the DRC.
In short, the issue of Mbororo herders in the DRC represents a major challenge but also an opportunity to strengthen social cohesion and promote balanced development in the regions concerned. By adopting a holistic and concerted approach, the Congolese government will be able to transform this complex situation into an opportunity for intercultural dialogue and building a more resilient and harmonious society.