Registration of displaced people following the fighting in Minembwe
The security situation in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to cause concern. Several clashes broke out between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the Twigwaneho militiamen and their allies, leading to a massive displacement of the population of Minembwe towards other territories.
A local civil society actor recently drew attention to this worrying situation. He reported a massive displacement of the population of Minembwe towards the territory of Mwenga, due to the persistence of fighting and the resulting insecurity.
Representatives of local communities, FARDC, police and MONUSCO met to discuss this wave of displacement. They encouraged the registration of new IDPs at the IDP camp and discussed measures to prevent the deterioration of the situation in Mikenge, while offering a warm welcome to the new arrivals at the IDP camp.
According to Mikenge’s civil society secretary, Nixon Byaese Alaka, many displaced people have arrived in Mikenge since the beginning of the week. Most of them are men and young people, but there are still 74 households sheltered in the village of Kalingi, about 16 km southwest of Mikenge. These households are mainly composed of women and children.
The president of the internally displaced persons of Mikenge, Mr. Yoshua Basanda, confirmed that many people coming from Minembwe have been registered. Their movement is directly linked to the precarious security situation in the region.
This situation once again highlights the urgency of finding a lasting solution to the insecurity plaguing the South Kivu region. Local authorities, security forces and the international community must redouble their efforts to guarantee the safety of civilian populations and work together to restore peace and stability in the region.
Displaced people deserve adequate assistance and support to rebuild their lives and regain some stability. It is essential to involve local actors, non-governmental organizations and humanitarian agencies to respond to the urgent needs of the displaced and facilitate their reintegration into society.
The situation in Minembwe and the South Kivu region is a poignant reminder of the challenges facing many communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is imperative that this crisis is not neglected and that concrete actions are taken to protect the civilian population and promote lasting peace.