DR Congo: more than 5,000 new internally displaced persons received in Bagata after recent attacks in Kwamouth

News Update

A new wave of internally displaced persons has been reported to Bagata territory, Kwilu province, since the recent attacks by Mobondo militia on the villages of Fadiaka and Mbusie in neighbouring Kwamouth, Ndombe province. In less than two weeks, 5,120 internally displaced persons from Kwamouth were identified and received in Bagata territory, specifically in the villages of Missay, Fasila, Fambondo, Kibay, Fatundu, Kingala Kiana and Fayala. The provincial Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which is developing the situation, states that there are 936 men in this number. 394 women, 1,445 girls and 1,345 boys. Unfinished schools, churches and houses are the new homes of these displaced persons who lack everything: no food, no health care, no security insurance. The Director of Cabinet of the Provincial Minister of Humanitarian Affairs of Kwilu alerts the national community and the Congolese Government to ensure that humanitarian assistance and security arrangements are made. "Their humanitarian situation is always deplorable as they are fleeing the Mobondo attacks, threats and killings. There are those who are currently in Fatundu, Missay, Fasila, Fambondo, Kibay, and Fayala. We are calling on the national government to be able to constantly ensure the safety of these people in secure areas and also to ensure urgent humanitarian assistance", he said. The security situation has flared up again in Kwamouth since the last week of 2023. The upsurge of insecurity started from the RN 17 where military and militia Mobondo clashed, first, between the villages Betanie and Tika ngayi, then between "long history" and Mapanda. In early January, the army had gained the upper hand over the militia by neutralizing a dozen as the armed men were preparing to attack Masiambio, the Fardc base deployed in this part of Mayi-Ndombe to restore peace. The result of this route was a relative lull on the RN 17, when the fugitive militiamen attacked the villages of Mbusie and Fadiaka in the southern part of Kwamouth territory. Jonathan Mesa, Bandundu