The Lufuna region, nestled in the heart of Kwango province, still bears the scars of deadly attacks by Mobondo militiamen. The recent incursions, from December 6 to 12, 2024, sowed chaos and destruction, leaving behind a landscape of desolation. Nearly 150 homes were reduced to ashes, five strategic bridges destroyed and a methodical looting of the affected villages was reported by a local NGO.
The human toll is equally alarming: 170 dead, 117 injured and more than 10,000 people, or 679 households, had to flee their homes to escape the violence. Among these displaced people are pregnant women, children and entire families, forced to seek refuge in areas considered safer such as the city of Popokaba. Their living conditions, described as precarious, underscore the urgency of a rapid and effective humanitarian response.
The clashes between the Mobondo militia and the DRC Armed Forces have only fanned the flames of terror. The repression led by the army led to the neutralization of several attackers, but at the cost of the lives of Congolese soldiers. The population, caught in the middle of this spiral of violence, has been forced to flee en masse, abandoning their lands and livelihoods.
The psychosis reigning in the region has paralyzed economic and social activities, plunging communities into deep distress. The towns of Popokaba and Kasongolunda, stormed by displaced people seeking safety, are struggling to cope with this massive influx of uprooted populations. Reconstruction promises to be long and difficult, while fear continues to haunt the minds of those who survived the horror.
Popokaba, already scarred by past violence, finds itself once again confronted with the horror of the Mobondo militias. The province of Kwango, already scarred by this violence, hopes to be able to regain the peace and stability that were so cruelly taken from it. It is urgent that concrete and lasting measures be put in place to protect vulnerable populations and restore a climate of security and trust. The fight against insecurity and terror must be conducted in a coordinated and effective manner, so that the inhabitants of these regions can finally hope for a more peaceful future.
The situation in Kwango is symptomatic of the challenges facing the DRC, a country rich in natural resources but plagued by recurring conflicts and chronic instability. It is crucial that the international community provide its support to the Congolese authorities to address these security and humanitarian challenges, and to put an end to the suffering of civilian populations held hostage by violence and fear..
While waiting for better days, the people of Kwango remain confident in the ability of the national and international community to work together to restore peace and dignity to the inhabitants of this wounded region. Solidarity and compassion must guide our actions, so that the ravages of the Mobondo militias do not leave indelible scars on this generous and promising land.