**Tragic Death Toll in Lumba: DRC’s Enduring Security Challenges**
On 31 January 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was once again the scene of a human tragedy, with the death toll from the attack attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels rising. Initially estimated at six, the number of civilians has climbed to twelve, according to reports from civil society. The security failure in the region, intensified by increasingly bold armed groups, raises pressing questions about the Congolese state’s ability to protect its citizens. At the same time, the search for missing victims continues, increasing fears of an even higher death toll.
### Figures That Speak
This escalation of violence in Lumba, a village located 35 kilometers northwest of Butembo, illustrates a worrying trend in a region where the ADF, designated terrorists by several governments, exploits the security vacuum. Indeed, data on violence in eastern DRC reveals that armed groups operate with almost impunity, without real intervention by national forces. In 2022, the United Nations reported a more than 50% increase in attacks against civilians in this area, a phenomenon of alarming gravity.
### A Call to Action
Civil society calls for an immediate reinforcement of the positions of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in the Mwenye grouping, where the presence of the ADF has been identified for two weeks. This call to action is all the more crucial as the fragility of the national military forces is exposed by each attack. The legitimate question to ask is therefore: why do these forces seem incapable of countering this growing threat despite a persistent military presence?
### Contextualizing the ADF and the State Response
The ADF, originally a Ugandan rebel group, found refuge in the DRC and managed to establish itself due to several factors. The continued erosion of national authority, coupled with corruption and ineffective security forces, have favored their expansion. Recent studies by peace research centers show that armed groups often feed on the despair of local communities, many of whom feel abandoned by the State.
### Civic Engagement as an Interface
Civil societies also play a key role in this context. Through their ability to mobilize public opinion, they can influence security policies on the ground. Their warnings must be accompanied by pressure on the government, but also on international actors, in order to guarantee logistical and financial support directly on the ground.
### A Multidimensional Response
The fight against the ADF and other armed groups cannot be limited to a military approach. A comprehensive strategy must also include development, education and community reconciliation initiatives. In supporting alternative youth projects and strengthening justice and governance, NGOs have a vital role to play. The international community, in turn, must recognize that solutions to the conflicts in the DRC require not only short-term funding, but also a long-term commitment to addressing the root causes of violence.
### Towards a Secure Future
In sum, the tragic events in Lumba are just one example of the security challenges facing the Democratic Republic of Congo. Assessing the actions taken, strengthening military capacities and the civilian response are intrinsically linked. The quest for sustainable peace will require a concerted approach that goes beyond the military and is deeply rooted in the social and economic sphere. Today’s actions will determine tomorrow’s security landscape, and it is imperative that all actors, both local and international, take responsibility in this crucial fight for security and human dignity in the DRC.
**Fatshimetrie** will continue to follow this situation with particular attention, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue around solutions to be implemented to prevent further tragedies from happening again. The voice of civil society must resonate, because it is from a solid and united whole that light will emerge at the heart of this dark reality.