Faced with a resurgence of insecurity in the territory of Bafwasende, in Tshopo province, at least 12 villages have been completely deserted. This situation is due to the proximity of these settlements to areas destabilized by Islamist terrorists from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the neighboring province of Ituri.

According to provincial MP Typhen Mabikinyambey, who alerted the provincial assembly on Monday 1 June, the ADF have been based for months in the villages of the Badumbisa group, in the territory of Mambasa.

These areas are very close to Tshopo, with which they share nothing but the forest. “The ADF are roaming around there; they feel at ease because there is no pursuit. Despite our complaints, there are still no appropriate responses. The population is fleeing the group. There is a lack of response from national, provincial and local authorities,” lamented the provincial representative.

He adds that schools and health facilities have closed their doors. The Bafwasende MP continues: “Even those who worked in the mining hostels have fled. Life is becoming precarious for the entire population, who are living under threat.”

Faced with this situation, he calls for the urgent launch of military operations to track down these attackers. “When they are hunted down elsewhere, they seek out quiet places. And these hideouts are in the territories of Mambasa and Bafwasende,” explained the MP, before revealing: “They are distributing leaflets. They are releasing survivors carrying threatening letters targeting the territory of Bafwasende and Tshopo province.”

Written by Azarias Mokonzi