Violence in eastern DR Congo: Ituri plagued by ethnic conflict • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Ethnic Conflict: Long-standing rivalry between Ha and Lendu ethnic groups.
• Militias: Armed groups linked to ethnic communities, operating due to state absence.
• Civilian Targeting: Civilians are frequently victims of attacks by militias.
• Economic Disruption: Violence severely impacts local economies, particularly markets and agriculture.
• State Absence/Weakness: The government's inability to provide security leads to self-protection through armed groups.
• Disarmament Programs: Official programs exist but are less attractive than the profits from militia activities.
• Ugandan Intervention: Neighboring country's military deployed to assist Congolese authorities, but with mixed results.

Jean-Pierre Lobo's Experience: A Civilian Perspective

Jean-Pierre Lobo, a farmer in Aturi, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, lives in constant fear of militia attacks. His fields are a 35-minute walk from his village, and he remains vigilant for any signs of rebels. He recounts a harrowing experience where gunshots forced him to hide, resulting in the deaths of many, including five of his family members, and the theft of his crops. The trauma manifests in nightmares and weeks of avoiding his fields due to fear. The presence of a mass grave, where seven villagers including his three brothers are buried, serves as a constant, painful reminder of the violence. His village has faced multiple attacks since 2017.

Unbearable Violence and its Impact

The transcript details the extreme violence experienced by civilians. An elderly woman, still in shock, recounts the brutal killing and dismemberment of her daughter by rebels, describing the act as akin to butchering an animal. She is the sole survivor of her family, left to grieve alone.

The Role of Militias and State Absence

In Aturi, the Congolese army's presence is insufficient to control the vast territory, allowing local militias to wield significant power. Movement is restricted without escorts, and checkpoints are ubiquitous. Travel between towns like Dorjo and Buna is highly risky due to active armed groups.

Militia Motivations and Economic Incentives

Fighters, with faces hidden, explain their continued armament by the lack of trust between ethnic communities and the absence of government protection. They state they took up arms to defend their communities and would disarm if the state fulfilled its protective role. Off-camera, they reveal that collecting "taxes" along roads generates profits far exceeding those offered by official disarmament programs.

The Need for State Reassertion

A specialist emphasizes the urgent need for the state to regain its authority, particularly in protecting civilians and their property. The argument is that individuals who feel unprotected by the state resort to self-protection, which in turn creates insecurity for others. Reasserting the state's role is presented as a crucial structural solution.

Statistics and Economic Devastation

Since the resurgence of violence in Aturi in 2017, over 5,300 people have been killed, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The market in Jojo, once a commercial hub for food crops like beans and maize, is now largely empty. Most stalls are vacant as traders have fled due to insecurity, leading to economic weakening and population displacement.

Hope for Peace and External Intervention

Despite the grim situation, Sunday prayers in churches offer some solace and hope to residents. They express a strong desire for peace, recognizing its essential role for agriculture, education, economic recovery, and freedom of movement. To address the instability, Congolese authorities have sought assistance from Uganda, deploying thousands of Ugandan soldiers. However, this intervention is not a complete solution, with some in Aturi accusing the Ugandan forces of favoring the HMA community. Peace in Aturi remains an elusive goal.