In Ituri, the population impatiently awaited the reclassification of the state of siege by the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi. However, this decision does not meet the expectations of the population of the province. Indeed, since 2017, armed groups have been rampant in the region, causing numerous abuses against the civilian population.
According to Dieudonné Losso, the company’s coordinator, the population of Ituri hoped that this requalification would be accompanied by large-scale military operations to hunt down local militiamen and foreign rebels, such as the ADF and CODECO.
Unfortunately, the reclassification of the state of siege took place without strengthening military operations or the equipment necessary to fight effectively against armed groups. The population of Ituri therefore expresses its disappointment with this decision.
It is important to emphasize that this expectation of the population is not new. She was already present at the closing of the round table held in Kinshasa in August 2023. Since then, the inhabitants of Ituri have hoped for firmer action from the authorities to put an end to the insecurity that reigns in the region.
In his televised address, President Tshisekedi announced some accompanying measures, including the lifting of the curfew. However, these measures seem insufficient to meet the expectations of the population and put an end to the abuses committed by armed groups.
The reclassification of the state of siege in Ituri once again shows the urgency of finding effective solutions to ensure the safety of civilians and combat insecurity in the region. It is essential that the authorities implement large-scale military operations, provide the necessary equipment to the security forces and intensify actions to track down militiamen and rebels.
The people of Ituri cannot wait any longer. It is time to take concrete measures to guarantee security and end the suffering caused by armed groups. The reclassification of the state of siege must be accompanied by a real political will to put an end to this situation and restore peace in the region.
In conclusion, the reclassification of the state of siege in Ituri does not meet the expectations of the population who were hoping for stronger measures to fight against armed groups. It is crucial that the authorities take concrete actions to guarantee the safety of civilians and end the insecurity in the region. The population of Ituri can no longer wait, they need to be protected and find peace.