### Military Violence in Congo: A Pernicious Spiral of Insecurity
The night of January 31 was marked by a new incursion of militant violence in the territory of Lubero, located in the province of North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The assassination of a militiaman from the Union of Patriots for the Liberation of Congo (UPLC) during an attack by a rival militia casts a worrying shadow over the stability of a region already plagued by instability. Beyond the human tragedy, this phenomenon brings with it profound questions about the management of armed conflicts and the protection of civilian populations.
During this attack, which began around 10 p.m., exchanges of fire with heavy and light weapons were reported for more than two hours. This tragic scenario is a recurrence in the region, illustrating a dynamic of violence that seems to intensify over time. This conflict, based on community rivalries and power struggles between different armed factions, must be put into perspective with the general situation in eastern Congo, where tensions have already led to thousands of deaths and millions of displaced people.
### Historical and Socio-Political Context
To better understand the nature of this violence, it is essential to take into account the historical context. North Kivu is strongly marked by the legacy of armed conflicts of the last two decades. Militias, often created following political unrest, are fighting not only for control of land and resources, but also for recognition of their existence within a country that sometimes seems uninterested in the realities of its peripheral territories.
United Nations data illustrate the gap between the civilian population and institutional responses. For example, nearly 5.5 million people are currently displaced by armed violence. This staggering figure is evidence of an ongoing humanitarian crisis in which the lives of Congolese people are held hostage by internal power struggles.
### Evolution of Civil Psychosis
The attack on Ngazi has caused a wave of panic across the surrounding localities, leading to hasty population movements towards supposedly safer areas such as Cantine and Kyatsaba. This exodus, however, is not without consequences. Fear of reprisals, combined with a feeling of abandonment by state institutions, contributes to a state of psychosis that can exacerbate violence.
The phenomenon of “collective psychosis” is interesting to analyze. Fears feed and intensify, especially in a context where information circulates quickly but unreliably. The consequences are multiple: flight of labor, interruption of economic activities and destabilization of education systems.. Young people, in particular, are often caught in this spiral of despair, with little hope of a stable future in such a volatile environment.
### Call for Calm: A Systematic Effect?
Calls for calm from the authorities and civil society, while welcome, also raise questions about the effectiveness of these measures. In a situation where the legitimacy of the armed forces is being questioned, how can they truly play their protective role? The military, often seen as an external actor rather than an ally, must work to restore this trust, while confronting the structural roots of the violence.
The violence in Ngazi represents the third major attack in a month, following similar events in Mandelya and Masoya. This series cannot be ignored; it is part of a wave of violence that seems to indicate a crossing of critical thresholds, where armed struggle is becoming a means of negotiation and a way of life for many Congolese. The cycle of violence persists not only because of internal rivalries, but also because of the lack of a strong institutional response and inclusive dialogue between the different factions.
### Towards a Durable Solution
Ultimately, what is at stake in North Kivu transcends mere rivalries between armed groups. To address violence in a meaningful way, it is imperative to adopt a holistic approach that encompasses economic development, peacebuilding, and community reconciliation. Dialogues between social actors, education programs for youth, and the involvement of women in the conflict resolution process are key elements that must be prioritized.
Only a collective mobilization, including the government, NGOs, and the communities themselves, can hope to reverse this tragic dynamic and offer a future free from violence. As a local proverb says so well: “Uniting is strength.” It is high time to apply this wisdom to the complex reality of Congo.