News in the DRC: the Mobondo militia causes violence in the province of Kwango
The province of Kwango in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been rocked by violence for several weeks. They are caused by the Mobondo militia and have already left 33 dead and 18 injured, according to a count by civil society. Clashes between militiamen and security forces forced more than 20,000 people to move, including 7,067 children, 7,057 women and 5,914 men.
The displaced are exposed to precarious conditions and have been spending the night under the stars for several weeks. Civil society denounces the attitude of the government which it considers “silent and insensitive” and invites it to take urgent measures to put an end to the violence.
According to Symphorien Kwengo, vice-president of the Kwango civil society consultation framework, this violence, which has claimed the lives of more than 300 people since June 2022 in the territory of Kwamouth, is the result of a conflict between Teke and Yaka. which caused the Yumbi massacres which left more than 500 dead, according to the UN.
The situation is alarming and requires urgent intervention by the Congolese authorities to restore peace and security in this region. Furthermore, it is important that humanitarian organizations provide assistance to the displaced persons affected by this deleterious situation.