The situation remains particularly tense this evening in Kolwezi, more precisely in the Tshipuki district, where a serious incident has shaken the community. Indeed, an artisanal miner lost his life in tragic circumstances. The tragedy occurred while he was desperately trying to climb a moving heavy goods vehicle, which had deliberately ignored the barricades set up by demonstrators on the Joseph Kabila road, towards the Kapata city.
Testimonies report that this artisanal miner was not the only victim of these clashes. Indeed, five members of the Congolese police force were also seriously injured during these tensions, which occurred in the context of mining in the region.
The lawyer representing the Tondo mining company expressed his deep regret at the lack of reaction from the provincial authorities to this alarming situation. Maître Christian Kakele highlighted the failure of attempts at communication and mediation to resolve this growing crisis, highlighting the silence and inaction of local authorities in the face of a worrying escalation of violence.
He deplored the ineffectiveness of the various interlocutors approached to find a peaceful solution to this conflict, stating that promises of support have not resulted in any tangible solution. In addition, he revealed that the police elements, initially present on the ground on the instructions of the political authorities, have been withdrawn, thus giving rise to a climate of insecurity conducive to the looting of the mining company’s infrastructure.
Recent events have also highlighted the fragility of relations between artisanal miners and the authorities in charge of regulating the mining sector. Tensions reached a climax with the invasion of the mining concession of the Tondo Company by artisanal miners from different regions of the Lualaba province. Their claim to the right to exploit in this area has led to violent clashes with the security forces deployed to enforce order.
It should be noted that the situation has also deteriorated with the erection of barricades on the Joseph Kabila road, the burning of tires and the paralysis of commercial activities in the Kolwezi region. These acts of violence and civil disobedience are not only detrimental to the safety of people, but also to the local economy already weakened by these unrest.
Faced with this latent crisis, it is imperative that the provincial authorities take concrete measures to restore order, guarantee the safety of citizens and preserve the economic interests of the region. The resolution of this conflict will require constructive dialogue, effective mediation and concrete actions to address legitimate demands while maintaining public order.
In conclusion, the situation in Kolwezi remains critical and requires an urgent response from the authorities to avoid a violent escalation and preserve social peace in this strategic mining region of the DRC.