### Tragedy in Komanda: the insidious threat of unwanted explosive devices
On Friday, March 7, 2025, Komanda, a locality in the territory of Irumu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was the scene of a tragic drama resulting from the explosion of a grenade. This tragedy is not only an isolated event, but it highlights systemic problems rooted in the daily life of the Congolese, in particular with regard to the safety of children in a context marked by chronic insecurity.
#### A child, a deadly object
The scenario that has played in Komanda is alarming. A child under the age of 14 picked up an explosive device, probably abandoned, in a densely populated urban environment. As he tried to manipulate him, the grenade exploded, causing his death and injuring two other people. This incident raises questions about the persistent presence of explosive objects that are not deducted in populated areas, impregnated with armed conflicts.
Historic and statistical, the ITUI region is regularly affected by armed violence that exacerbates the vulnerability of civil infrastructure. According to a recent report from the United Nations, the DRC records an increase in victims each year due to explosive devices, with an estimate of 500 incidents linked to unploded mines and ammunition (moult) in the Ituri region in the last 12 months.
#### From parental responsibility to community interference
The testimonies collected after the explosion reveal that children, often subject to early work, are exposed to these dangers. Civil society, while calling for an increased awareness of parental responsibilities, underlines the need for educational support to prevent such tragedies. The witness, an egg seller who was on the scene, testifies to a reality where children’s innocence comes up against a dangerous situation.
Gustave Kakani, a local voice for awareness, is right to sound the alarm. The lack of information on mined areas and explosive objects is alarming, but an approach that calls for community education could prove to be decisive. Awareness initiatives in schools, for example, could not only teach children to recognize dangers, but also give them the tools necessary to report these threats to adults.
### Structural insecurity and its ramifications
The situation in Komanda is indicative of the wider disorders that affect Ituri, a region in the heart of tribal struggles and armed conflicts. The armed groups that operate in this territory use it as a lid to camouflage their criminal activity. The definition of this type of insecurity goes beyond simple physical violence: it generates a culture of fear that affects daily life. According to a study by the Peace and Security Research Group in Africa, children in conflict areas are often the most affected, suffering from limited access to education, health and protective services.
#### Prepare the future: Prevention and security systems
To prevent future tragedies, the emphasis must be placed on the implementation of alert and detection systems of explosive devices. Non -governmental organizations, in collaboration with the Congolese government, must intensify demining in risk areas. Awareness programs could be systematically integrated into school courses and in local communities.
The involvement of the community, as illustrated by the initiative of Gustave Kakani, is crucial. It could be judicious to establish community security committees trained in the recognition and risk management linked to explosives. These committees could first work to harvest data on the presence of suspicious objects, thus providing valuable information to the authorities for targeted demining operations.
### Conclusion: A call to action
The tragic incident that took place in Komanda is a call for action for society, but also for government and NGOs. Awareness, education and community mobilization would constitute a useful front to fight against insecurity which seems rooted in the everyday life of thousands of Congolese. In the end, the real measure of progress lies in the capacity of insecurity pandemics, such as unwanted explosive devices, to be identified and eradicated, to guarantee a safer future for future generations.