In the Beni region of North Kivu, the relentless horror continues to unfold as reports reveal the discovery of fifteen bodies of farmers, brutally murdered by ADF rebels in the neighborhoods of Sayo and Kasanga-Tuha. Among the victims were men, women, and even an octogenarian, adding to the grim tally of thirty-eight civilians killed within a span of just two weeks. This surge of unrelenting violence underscores the critical need for urgent and resolute action from local authorities to break this vicious cycle of bloodshed.
Joseph Sabuni, the president of civil society in the commune of Mulekera, is appalled by this tragic event and demands swift and decisive measures from the administrative and military bodies. He emphasizes the necessity of eradicating these assailants who operate with impunity in the Beni region, particularly in the districts of Sayo, Bunji, Matembo, and Kasanga-Tuha. Sabuni laments the lack of proactive efforts by authorities to neutralize the ADF, who brazenly carry out their atrocities within the city limits.
Despite assurances from the military regarding enhanced security measures, the population remains vulnerable to the looming threat of the ADF, whose activities are escalating in the region. Civil society advocates for tangible actions on the ground, including large-scale operations aimed at dismantling the rebel presence in what is considered one of their strongholds.
The surge in ADF attacks underscores the pressing need for the Congolese authorities to take substantial steps to safeguard the civilian population. The people of Beni are trapped in a state of terror and desperation, grappling with the authorities’ failure to ensure their safety and quell the deadly violence ravaging the region.
For more detailed information on the ongoing crisis in Beni, please refer to the following relevant articles:
1. Radio Okapi: Bodies of Civilians Killed by ADF in Beni
2. Fatshimetrie: The Horror of ADF Attacks in Beni