In the troubled region of Babila Babombi, in the heart of the Mambasa territory in the DRC, an alarming situation is worrying local dignitaries. For three long months, socio-economic and agricultural activities have been paralyzed in several towns, under the growing influence of local and foreign armed groups. This escalation of violence has plunged the population into a situation of precariousness and despair, accentuated by the looting of cocoa by these ruthless militias.
The inhabitants of this peaceful region are now witnessing scenes of theft and violence, orchestrated by armed men who sow terror among farmers and innocent families. Cocoa, the main source of income for many families, has become easy prey for these predatory groups, who do not hesitate to appropriate the harvests in defiance of legality and ethics.
The notables of the Babila Babombi chiefdom are sounding the alarm and calling on the authorities to act urgently to put an end to this spiral of violence and desolation. The impacts of these criminal acts are being felt brutally, with a dizzying increase in food prices on local markets, plunging the population further into poverty.
The provincial deputy of Mambasa, Kasereka Sivamwenda, deplores this situation and urges the authorities to take drastic measures to restore security and protect vulnerable populations. The presence of this new militia, led by a certain “Kilalo”, is worsening the crisis and creating a climate of fear and uncertainty in the region.
Faced with this distress, civil society actors are calling on the military authorities of Ituri and North Kivu to redouble their efforts to put an end to these abuses and guarantee the safety of the inhabitants. It is imperative to end the impunity of armed groups that terrorize populations and exploit the region’s natural resources.
The international community cannot remain indifferent to this humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. Concrete measures and firm commitment are needed to put an end to this violence and allow the inhabitants of Babila Babombi to regain the peace and security to which they are entitled. Solidarity and cooperation are essential to offer a better future to this region scarred by conflict and armed violence.