** Mambasa in distress: the human and socio-economic impact of the insurrection of the ADF **
Since the beginning of 2025, the Mambasa region, in the heart of the province of Ituri, has been the scene of a major humanitarian drama. More than ten villages of the babila Bakwanza chiefdom have seen their population fleeing due to the murderous incursion of the rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which, in the space of two weeks, caused the death of at least twenty civilians and burnt down several houses. In parallel, a period of socio-economic paralysis settles down, making the situation of the inhabitants who remained there.
Far from being an isolated event, this incursion of the ADFs reminds us of a cycle of violence that has persisted in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for years. The ADF, an armed group of Ugandan origin, was rooted in the region of Grand Kivu in the late 1990s, and their return in force in Ituri only exacerbates an already fragile situation. According to the latest statistics from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), more than 1.5 million people are currently in eastern DRC due to armed conflicts, testifying to a spiral humanitarian crisis which continues to worsen.
** A massive leak: what consequences? **
The phenomenon of leaking populations in the babila Bakwanza chiefdom cannot be understood without an analysis of the economic and social consequences of such a rout. The villages of Matolo, Bauwenzi and Mikanya, mainly agricultural, are now almost deserted. This is not limited to a geographic crisis, but also affects the very structure of society. Agricultural activities, crucial for the subsistence of the villagers, are impossible to maintain in the absence of workers and in the face of permanent threats.
Agriculture, which constitutes the spine of the economy of this region, represents not only a source of income, but also the basis of a collective lifestyle based on traditions of cooperative and mutual aid. The material and human damage caused by the rebellions therefore do more than appropriate individuals; They also undermine the social fabric, causing tensions that may well last even after peace is restored.
According to a study by the World Bank, armed conflicts in the country have not only immediate repercussions, but also cause long -term economic losses. Figures reveal that the cost of conflicts in the DRC could reach almost $ 3 billion per year in direct economic losses, which is catastrophic for an already very poor country.
** Military inaction: a worrying reality **
Faced with this alarming situation, the military forces present in the region seem impossible to perceive. Muhindo Peresi, the coordinator of local civil society, underlines a crucial point: the absence of significant military operations and an apparent weakness of the workforce to dissuade the ADF. This raises questions about the support and logistics of the Congolese armed forces and the crucial role they should play by protecting vulnerable civilians.
The pressing need for effective coordination between security forces, civil society and humanitarian organizations cannot be underestimated. Innovative initiatives such as mixed community patrols, bringing together both soldiers and villagers, could promote confidence and encourage better surveillance of villages still inhabited.
** Towards a lasting solution: the role of the authorities and the international community **
In this climate of anxiety, the real challenge lies in the authorities’ response to this crisis. The administrator of Mambasa assures that the security services are mobilized to dismantle the bastion of the rebellion. However, this raises the question of the prioritization of resources, especially when you consider that efforts must also focus on humanitarian aid for the displaced.
It is imperative that there is a general mobilization around this situation, not only on the national level but also internationally. The global community must pay attention to what UNHCR has described as a forgotten crisis and intervene to provide emergency humanitarian aid, as well as to support the processes of demobilization and reintegration of armed groups.
** Conclusion: A call for action **
The tragedy that is currently taking place in the chiefdom of Babila Bakwanza is not just a news item; It is a call for solidarity and action. The DRC, with its tumultuous history, deserves lasting solutions, based on peace, security and sustainable economic development. The road will be long and strewn with pitfalls, but it is made even more difficult by indifference and inaction. If we do nothing, we will only strengthen the cycle of violence which continues to ravage this magnificent land of contrasts.