Title: The state of siege in Ituri: a worrying situation according to civil society
Introduction :
For more than two years, the state of siege has been established by the Head of State in Ituri, as part of the fight against the armed groups raging in the region. However, according to the provincial civil society coordinator, Dieudonné Lossa, the results of this measure are far from positive. In an interview with Radio Okapi, he draws an alarming report on the security situation in the province.
A state of siege without concrete results:
Since 2017, Ituri has been plunged into an incessant cycle of violence. Despite the establishment of a state of siege in 2021, no armed group has been neutralized to date, deplores Dieudonné Lossa. He points out that if a lull has been observed for two weeks, particularly in the territory of Djugu, this is mainly due to the limited good faith of the militiamen and the combined efforts of the authorities and civil society. However, the absence of tangible results highlights the ineffectiveness of this drastic measure.
The need to consolidate the security situation:
To prevent a return of insecurity in the province, Dieudonné Lossa calls on the government to consolidate this lull. In particular, he suggests the implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (PDDRCS), which is slow to be put in place. According to him, it is essential to accompany the militiamen in their process of social reintegration and to provide them with appropriate supervision. Otherwise, there is a risk that the lull will be short-lived and the situation will deteriorate again.
The need for a comprehensive approach:
However, Dieudonné Lossa warns against considering this lull as a real guarantee of security in Ituri. The militiamen still hold their weapons and continue to control the territories. He insists on the urgency of effective intervention by the Congolese State, through the PDDRCS, in order to disarm and reintegrate these armed groups into society. Without this comprehensive approach, the province risks falling back into the infernal cycle of violence.
Conclusion :
The state of siege in Ituri has not yet yielded the expected results. Civil society is sounding the alarm about the security situation in the province. To avoid a return of insecurity, it is essential to consolidate the lull observed and to support the militiamen in their social reintegration. The Congolese state must implement the PDDRCS effectively to disarm these armed groups and ensure long-term stability