Fatshimetrie, an online newspaper covering international news, recently highlighted a significant meeting that took place in Beni, in the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. More than a hundred women, members of committed women’s organizations, had the opportunity to discuss with General Bruno Mandevu, commander of Sokola 1 operations, on Saturday, November 30.
This meeting took place in a tense context marked by the joint operations of the Armed Forces of the DRC and the Ugandan army against the rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) who are raging in the region. General Mandevu stressed the importance of collaboration between the armed forces and the population, especially women, to strengthen the fight against armed groups. In particular, he encouraged participants to report any suspicious activity to better anticipate threats and ensure the security of the region.
Julie Nkuna, coordinator of the NGO Congolese Women for Development (FECONDE), shared the main topics discussed during this meeting. She highlighted the challenges facing the army, including the presence of accomplices infiltrated in various sectors of society. The importance of proximity between the security forces and the population was highlighted, encouraging women to provide credible and concrete information to support the operations led by General Mandevu.
The general also warned of the risks of enemy infiltration, especially during the holiday season. He called for increased vigilance on the part of all residents of Beni and the surrounding area to prevent any attempted attack or intrusion by armed groups.
This meeting between the committed women and General Mandevu reflects the importance of civil society participation in security and stabilization efforts in the North Kivu region. Collaboration between the armed forces and the local population is essential to counter threats and ensure the protection of residents. Women have a crucial role to play in gathering information and raising awareness about security, thus contributing to the fight against insecurity and violence affecting the region.
In conclusion, this meeting demonstrates the determination of women and civil society to actively engage in promoting peace and security in a region marked by significant security challenges. The involvement of all actors, whether civilian, military or humanitarian, is essential to building a peaceful and prosperous future for the inhabitants of North Kivu.