** Tension climate in Isiro: an assassination that illuminates the shadows of insecurity in the high-elele **
The morning of March 13, 2024 remains engraved in the memory of the inhabitants of Isiro, the capital of the province of Haut-Ugele, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This Thursday, the city experienced unprecedented agitation, catalyzed by the assassination of a young biker and the ball injury of another member of the profession. The events that followed reveal a complex reality, marked by violence, fear and frustrations that have been in the local population for a long time.
Indeed, the incident that precipitated this wave of manifestations is not just an isolated act; It is part of a larger and worrying context. Bikers, considered as key craftsmen in the informal economy, constitute a vital intermediary in the delivery of services in this generally poorly served region. Their frustration towards the security forces stems from a long history of ill -treatment, corruption and systemic violence. By attacking one of their own, the assassin sparked anger whose roots are deeply plunged into societal injustice.
### A world plagued by uncertainty
The scene of the demonstration was catastrophic: cries of dread, children fleeing from their schools, sellers engulfed by concern, and alleys formerly animated transformed into battlefields. Schools quickly deserted, while local authorities affirmed their control, adding a layer of tension to the already explosive climate.
In the absence of adequate responses, this situation shows that the tensions between the police and the population are only increasing. Data from the Security Observatory in Central Africa reveal that between 2020 and 2023, the incidents of violence involving the police in Kivu and in the Haut-Ugele have tripled. It is therefore obvious that order maintenance systems must evolve to adapt to a reality where distrust grows among citizens.
### Reactions from the authorities: a strategy to rethink
In a context where local governments are struggling to establish a sustainable security climate, the provincial government’s press release has tried to calm the spirits. While condemning the incident and promising justice, he is coming to wonder if this promise resonates with a population that has already lost confidence. What will be the real consequences for the police officer involved? The feeling of impunity in some agents of the order persists, fueling fears that promises of reform would simply be words.
In parallel, the government has largely bet on the idea that a collaboration between citizenship and the police could provide a lasting solution. However, this postulate is based on faith in a dialogue which, so far, seems impracticable. In a war against crime, “collaboration” needs to be supported by concrete evidence of respect and justice on the part of the police towards citizens.
### A difficult way to reconciliation
Isiro’s tragic incident also illustrates an urgent need to strengthen social justice. Indeed, the living conditions of many residents of the Haut-Uele are marked by poverty, an absence of access to basic services and a lack of employment prospects, thus contributing to a cycle of violence. To remedy social discomfort, it becomes crucial:
1. Improve the living conditions of young people, especially through professional training and jobs, in order to stifle recruiters of violence.
2. to rethink the police system to make it a protective force rather than a repression body, which requires adequate training and a strong community dialogue.
3. To involve community leaders in the development of solutions, thus creating a dialogue which can strengthen the social fabric instead of weakening it.
In conclusion, what happened in Isiro should not be considered a simple local incident; It is a call to transform the way justice and security are perceived and lived. Through a national reform which includes respect, confidence, and collaboration, the Democratic Republic of the Congo could lay the groundwork for a tight relationship between citizens and their representatives, thus building a society where everyone can hope to sleep in peace. The time is for reconciliation, beyond the demonstrations.