Mob justice cases have unfortunately become commonplace in many parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the commune of Mangina, in the territory of Beni, is unfortunately no exception to this sad reality. It is in this context that the mayor of the commune, Rocky Kakule Muvunga, recently launched a poignant appeal to the population to combat these acts of violence.
In a speech delivered on Friday, July 14, 2023, Mr. Muvunga urged the residents of Mangina to report any wanderings by the military in the commune, but also to reject the idea of taking justice into their own hands. He thus called on the population to quickly alert the local security committee or the competent authorities in the event of suspicious behavior on the part of the soldiers.
The burgomaster specifically referred to a case where a soldier was seen asking the inhabitants of Mangina for money, in exchange for his presence in the neighborhood. Mr. Muvunga insisted that such acts should not be tolerated and that the competent authorities should be informed in order to take the necessary measures.
The question of popular justice is a sensitive and delicate subject which continues to preoccupy the inhabitants of Mangina, but also of the rest of the country. Since the beginning of 2023, many cases of lynching of soldiers or unfounded accusations have been deplored in Beni and its surroundings. These acts of violence are often perpetrated by populations overwhelmed by the insecurity and impunity rife in the region.
In his statement, Bourgmestre Muvunga insisted that popular justice does not solve the problems, but on the contrary only worsens the situation. He called on people to show responsibility and trust the authorities to deal with security issues appropriately. He also stressed the importance of collaboration between the population and the security forces to fight against insecurity and guarantee the protection of all.
It is heartening to see a local official taking a strong stand against the violence and calling for a more responsible and legal approach to addressing security issues. However, it is important to emphasize that concrete measures must be taken to strengthen the presence of security forces in the commune of Mangina, in order to prevent and react effectively to potentially dangerous situations.
In conclusion, it is essential that the fight against mob justice be pursued at all levels of society. The authorities must continue to sensitize the population on the dangers of these practices and to reinforce the presence of the security forces to ensure the protection and safety of all citizens.. The prevention and punishment of acts of violence must remain top priorities to guarantee a peaceful and prosperous future for the commune of Mangina, and for the whole of the Democratic Republic of the Congo