Judith Suminwa’s mission to Bunia to assess the state of siege in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu sparked lively debates and contrasting expectations among the population and local stakeholders. The Prime Minister ended her stay with statements that suggest divergent perspectives on the future of the security situation in these troubled regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The primary objective of this assessment was to gather the opinions and recommendations of the various stakeholders, in order to formulate concrete recommendations to be submitted to the President of the Republic for appropriate actions. Judith Suminwa stressed the importance of taking into account the specific context of each of these provinces in order to guarantee a lasting return to peace and security for the local populations.
The expectations of the population and local elected officials were clearly expressed during these consultations. While some strongly advocate for the immediate lifting of the state of siege, arguing that it has not reduced insecurity and has even exacerbated violence in the region, others, such as the Caucus of Customary Chiefs, believe on the contrary that maintaining this exceptional measure is necessary until the armed militias are disarmed.
The discussions also highlighted other important issues for the development of these provinces, such as the need to improve road infrastructure to promote the economic growth of the region. Economic operators thus advocated for the renovation of national roads, stressing the importance of such measures to stimulate economic activity and promote the prosperity of local populations.
Ultimately, the decision of the President of the Republic on the future of the state of siege in Ituri and North Kivu will be based on a detailed analysis of the recommendations made during this assessment mission. It will be a matter of finding a delicate balance between security imperatives and aspirations for development and lasting peace in these regions plagued by many tensions. The future of these provinces will thus depend on the decisions taken in the coming weeks, in light of the consultations led by Judith Suminwa and all the actors involved in the search for solutions for a better future for all.