the citizen's blog
Since June 2021, the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri in the DRC have been under siege to fight against armed violence and armed groups plaguing the region. But two years later, the effectiveness of the measure has not been proven and the Catholic Church is asking the authorities to evaluate it. This arrest comes as several attacks have been reported in recent days in the region. The lifting of the state of siege thus seems more topical than ever.
The province of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been struggling with violent insecurity caused by different armed groups. However, a crisis resolution agreement was signed on May 30, 2023 by the armed groups FRPI, CODECO, FRPI and MAPI. The signed roadmap demands an end to all hostilities and violence and calls for support for the implementation of the agreement by the national and provincial government as well as the international community. This inter-armed group dialogue is a crucial step towards peace and stability in Ituri, but its implementation remains a crucial challenge to be met.
Kwango civil society warns of the forced recruitment of Mobondo militiamen in the territory of Popokabaka, where their presence has been observed for more than a week. These militiamen take young people by force, make them drink human blood before initiating them into their insurrectionary movement. They are also terrorizing the population in six villages in the region. This situation requires rapid action by the Congolese authorities to protect citizens from these threats.
Senegal is in shock after a Molotov cocktail attack that claimed the lives of two people and seriously injured five others. This terrorist attack drew unanimous condemnation from political actors who expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. The attack comes in a tense political context marked by demonstrations and violent clashes. The opposition party, Pastef, insisted on clarifying that it was not involved in this violence and called for an objective investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. This attack raises concerns about the trivialization of violence and the lack of respect for human life. It is essential that the authorities find those responsible and that Senegalese society unites to reject the violence. This tragic attack is a reminder of the importance of the fight against terrorism and the need for international cooperation. Senegal must remain vigilant to prevent such acts in the future.
The evacuation of French nationals from Niger following the coup raises concerns about the situation in the country. Despite the relief of the returnees, concern persists about the future of Niger. The precarious evacuation conditions raise questions about the property left behind and the accommodation of returnees in France. Other Western countries are also considering evacuation plans for their citizens. This operation poses multiple challenges related to the country’s political and security instability. The situation in Niger remains to be closely monitored.
Despite political instability in Niger, some French people have decided to stay in Niamey. The testimonies of Moumouni Mahamadou and Stéphane Jullien confirm their confidence and their serenity in the face of the situation. Moumouni Mahamadou says his business has remained open and he has never been bothered since the coup. Stéphane Jullien, elected consular of the French in Niger, believes that the evacuation is not mandatory and continues to work and manage his business normally. The French authorities will close the evacuation operations on August 2. These testimonies highlight the diversity of choices and reactions to a crisis.
The rehabilitation of the International Fair of Kinshasa (Fikin) is suspended due to differences between the Turkish company Milvet and the Congolese party represented by the management committee of this tourist site. The works do not respect the agreed terms and the excessive demands of the Turkish company have led to the suspension of the rehabilitation project. The project includes an exhibition center, an amusement park, a shopping center, a conference hall, a conference center and a hotel, among others. At the same time, other news in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been in the news in recent weeks, including the “Proudly N’dundu” festival, citizen mobilization before the December 2023 elections, the rehabilitation of the Kinshasa-Matadi railway and the fight against the impunity of armed groups.
At the Extraordinary Summit of the East African Community in Kinshasa, Heads of State from the region discussed security issues in the DRC and made important decisions to foster peace and stability in the region. Issues such as the extension of the status of forces agreement for six months, the supervision of the orderly withdrawal of armed groups, the protection of civilians and the holding of elections in December 2023 were discussed. Opposition leaders have called for citizen mobilization ahead of the December 2023 elections. In sum, the summit was marked by a series of important decisions to foster peace and stability in the region, particularly in the DRC.
In the DRC, four local armed groups have signed a memorandum of understanding to end all violence against civilians in the Ituri region, one of the provinces most affected by conflict. This historic agreement is seen as a beacon of hope for the local population who have suffered from the relentless violence of these armed groups. Nevertheless, civil society representatives remain vigilant and are waiting to see if these commitments will be kept on the ground. The governor of Ituri province, having affixed his signature to this agreement, considers that this agreement is a first step towards the pacification of the region. However, some opposition members are more skeptical and are calling for these armed groups to be forced to lay down their arms and face justice for their actions.
The Local Development Program (PLD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo aims to stimulate the development of decentralized territories. A recent evaluation of the IGF revealed problems but also the importance of monitoring the work to ensure its quality. The PLD aims to improve people’s living conditions by providing essential infrastructure, but challenges remain, including fluctuations in the price of building materials. Nevertheless, despite the difficulties, the PLD continues to be a crucial tool for local development and the improvement of living conditions in the DRC.