Fatshimetrie, an online media outlet committed to reporting on current events in the DRC, recently relayed a poignant story about a war displaced person who tragically lost his life in shocking circumstances. On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, December 18, at the Lushala site in Mugunga, in the Karisimbi commune of Goma, a certain Nicolas Safari, originally from Sake, was cowardly shot dead by armed bandits while he was sleeping.
The horror of this criminal act, perpetrated at 3 a.m., is indescribable. While Nicolas Safari was sleeping peacefully in his hut, bullets fired by bandits shattered his tranquility. Hit in the chest, neck and left hand, he died instantly, leaving his loved ones in immeasurable pain. According to the testimonies collected, the bandits quickly fled after their crime, leaving behind a family plunged into mourning and incomprehension.
Unfortunately, this act is not an isolated case in the IDP sites in the region. The inhabitants, already traumatized by the ravages of war and forced displacement, are now facing growing insecurity. The “wazalendo”, local fighters whose presence has become synonymous with terror, are often singled out for their involvement in various criminal acts such as murder, looting, extortion and rape.
Ismaël Matungulu, an IDP from Sake, bitterly expresses his dismay at this spiral of violence that affects the most vulnerable. Since the clashes in Sake last February, many IDPs have died in the camps located on the outskirts of Goma. The uncontrolled circulation of firearms in these refuge areas is making the situation worse, endangering the already precarious lives of the IDPs.
The authorities, aware of the seriousness of the situation, say they are carrying out targeted operations to counter insecurity in the IDP camps. Operation Safisha Muji wa Goma has led to the arrest of several suspected criminals and the recovery of firearms. However, despite these efforts, fear and uncertainty persist among residents already suffering from war and exile.
In a context where violence seems to be becoming commonplace, it is imperative that concrete measures are taken to ensure the safety of displaced persons and all citizens of the DRC. Impunity for the perpetrators of crimes must end, and justice must be served so that peace and stability can finally find their place in a region ravaged by conflict.