Against a backdrop of the threat posed by Islamist terrorists from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the Beni region, the military governor of North Kivu has just been reappointed to lead military operations across the entire province.

According to a telegram signed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Mr. Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, this instruction comes directly from the Head of State: ‘I hereby inform you that, on the instructions of the Supreme Commander of the FARDC, the military governor of North Kivu is to resume command of all military operations throughout the province, in accordance with the aforementioned order concerning measures to implement a state of siege in part of the territory of the DRC,’ the correspondence states.

Whilst some had justified a degree of passivity on the part of the provincial authorities in the face of military operations, the resumption of operations will enable the head of North Kivu to restore the authority of the state.

Some now believe that the governor can no longer afford to complain but must focus on achieving results.

Written by Azarias Mokonzi