** Conflict and resilience: the confrontation between the FARDC and the Mibléo militiamen in the territory of Kwamouth **
On February 7, 2024, an escalation of tensions in the heart of the territory of Kwamouth once again highlighted the fragility of security in the province of Mai-Ndombe. The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) announced that they had neutralized six members of the Mibondo militia during a tumultuous confrontation in the village of Bunsele. This conflict, although apparently local, initiates issues that echo broader issues of governance, security, and peace restoration in this region bruised by instability.
### A complex historical and political context
The phenomenon of militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo is not new. These armed groups, with a sporadic appearance, often play a significant role in a chaotic political landscape, where the struggle for power and natural resources generate inexorable rivalries. Miblondo, for example, are a subgroup acting in a territory already confronted with political, ethnic and economic rivalries. The tensions surrounding their actions underline an alarming dynamic: they reveal the flaws of a system which, for many Congolese, is more like a struggle for survival than an anchored governance in the search for collective well-being .
### The events of February 7: a military reaction and a symbolic victory
The attack on Bunsele, orchestrated in order to release a leader captured by the FARDC, demonstrates an offensive strategy in the hope of scoring points in the current territory war. The military sources consulted report that during this operation, not only have been killed, but firearms and ammunition were recovered by the army. This operational success and his echo in the words of the provincial deputy David Bisaka, who praises the professionalism of the FARDC, underline the urgent need for a strong military response to such desperate military acts.
However, such victories must be put in perspective. The neutralization of six militiamen, although important, must not make us forget the growing number of armed groups in the DRC. Indeed, according to estimates of the Interroech Group on Economic and Financial Analysis, the country today has more than 100 armed groups, each with different motivations which vary from the quest for political power to local economic dead ends.
### The impact on the civilian population
The gaze on the clashes of February 7 cannot be limited to human losses or military strategies. Beyond statistics, there is the direct impact on civilian populations who, regularly, find themselves taken between armed activists and a sometimes disproportionate military response. This cycle of violence aggravates the living conditions in rural areas and exacerbates humanitarian crises. The continuous presence of armed conflicts results in massive movements, a rupture of the basic services and a surge in humanitarian needs.
### lasting solutions to consider
For the Congolese authorities, the question of the eradication of militias is crucial, but it requires an approach that goes far beyond a simple military response. A commitment to strengthen local institutions, inclusive dialogue and the creation of economic opportunities for young people are all elements that could help appease these tensions.
It is fundamental to implement awareness and disarmament programs in order to encourage a transition to peace. The development of school and health infrastructure could also help save entire generations of the cycle of violence which seems inevitable without proactive intervention.
### Conclusion: a step forward but much remains to be done
Events in the village of Bunsele show that the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains precarious despite the efforts of the FARDC. While the neutralization of Mibléo militiamen can be considered a tactical victory, it also raises questions about the real solutions to be brought to the systemic violence that has gangrene this region for decades. The real challenge lies in the capacity of the Congolese state to establish sustainable governance which is not content to respond to violence by force, but which attacks its deep roots.
The future of Kwamouth and the DRC as a whole will depend on the choices made today in matters of prosperity, security, and reconciliation, but also on the will of national and international actors to support a true dynamic of peace.