**Clash between two Mai-Mai groups in Opienge, Bafwasende, Tshopo Congo – July 07, 2024**
Recent events in Opienge, Tshopo province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have highlighted a conflict with deep and dramatic stakes. Two Mai-Mai groups, led respectively by Maradona and Shokoro, clashed following a dispute over the succession of leader Luc of the UPLD group.
The heart of the problem lies in the question of succession powers and legitimacy within these armed groups. While local elders had decided that Maradona, the biological son of the late leader Luc, should succeed him, Shokoro, who worked alongside his father, categorically refused this decision. This tension, mixed with personal ambitions and rivalries, has plunged the Opienge region into a climate of fear and instability.
The inhabitants of this locality, which is rich in mineral resources, live in fear of clashes between the two rival Mai-Mai groups. Terror has set in and the population is forced to live in fear and uncertainty. The local authorities, represented by Mr. Willy Simbiye Iwoti, have alerted their superiors to the explosive situation prevailing in Opienge. Despite this, the authorities’ reaction is slow to materialize, leaving the inhabitants to fend for themselves in the face of violence and considerable human and material damage.
It is crucial that the authorities take effective measures to put an end to these clashes and restore peace to the region. The international community must also mobilize to support stabilization and reconciliation efforts in this area affected by recurring conflicts. The local populations deserve to live in safety and rebuild their future in peace and stability.