**Road Safety and Humanitarian Dilemma: The Emergence of a Crime Hotbed on the RN3 in South Kivu**
On 10 January 2025, an alarming scene unfolded on the RN3 in Kalehe territory, South Kivu, where a group of travellers were held up by armed robbers. Forty-three motorbikes, a Land Cruiser pick-up and a bus were searched from top to bottom, leaving the occupants stripped of their belongings – a situation that raises crucial questions about road safety and the responsibility of local authorities.
Beyond the individual tragedy caused by these acts of banditry that are multiplying on this emblematic road, a much more complex reality looms: that of a failing rule of law in a region undermined by conflict and instability. Isaya Benjamin, president of the civil society of Bunyakiri, does not hesitate to question the rise in power of these “roadblockers” who proliferate in the face of the inaction of the security forces. But could this situation not be the symptom of a more structural problem, linked to the socio-economic issues of the region?
### A multifaceted problem
It is important to understand that these events are not isolated accidents. Indeed, the robbery of January 10 is part of a series of similar incidents that occurred on December 18, January 6 and 8. A report by the NGO “National Crime Prevention Network” revealed a 30% increase in cases of banditry on the RN3 corridor, particularly around the Kahuzi Biega National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This data highlights not only the region’s security fragility, but also the underlying factors that fuel this violence.
The presence of armed groups in the region should not be seen solely as a question of criminality, but also in relation to the phenomenon of economic vulnerability of local populations. The difficulties of accessing stable jobs, combined with the ambient poverty, push a section of the population towards illegal activities. In an article published on Fatshimetrie.org, sociology experts indicate that this phenomenon of delinquency is often exacerbated by a lack of future prospects for young people, increasingly attracted by promises of quick but uncertain gains.
### A call for responsibility: towards integrated security
Calls for improved security, as Isaya Benjamin points out, are not only legitimate but necessary. However, the question that arises is what strategies could be put in place to respond sustainably to this crisis. Could the solution to this dilemma lie in a model that integrates not only security measures, but also economic development initiatives?
Countries such as Costa Rica have had success in reducing crime by investing heavily in education and social inclusion. Similarly, in South Kivu, investing in education and vocational training could represent a viable response to insecurity. In parallel, enhanced collaboration between law enforcement, civil society and local communities would allow for the development of prevention strategies based on trust and reciprocity.
### Conclusion: an urgent need for concerted action
In sum, the RN3 robbery epidemic should not be interpreted as a simple crime incident, but as a profound crisis that calls for a reassessment of security and development policies in the region. As voices are raised to demand concrete actions, it is imperative that the authorities and stakeholders take the measure of the urgency of the situation. Acting now is not limited to defusing a present disorder; it involves building a future where the rights and dignity of the citizens of South Kivu would be prioritized, far from the shadows of robberies and insecurity. Living and traveling safely on the RN3 should not be a luxury, but a fundamental right of every individual.