L’État de Siège in the Democratic Republic of the Congo


Today, according to the High Commissioner for refugees of United Nations (UHNCR), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are counted 5.6 million of internal refugees. The spread of armed group aims at keeping the “region of great lakes” in a constant situation of unstable insecurity, in order to facilitate a systematic mining exploitation from multinationals and foreign powers. This led the President of Congo Félix Tshisekedi to proclaim, on the first of May 2021, the “état de siège”.

Today, according to the High Commissioner for refugees of United Nations (UHNCR), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are counted 5.6 million of internal refugees. They almost entirely live in Eastern regions, which are very rich in minerals.
In accordance with data released by Kivu Security Tracker, the registered victims in the last three months are 1244, of which 638 died violently. The armed groups that haunt the oriental regions are around 130; among all, ADF, of Islamist origin, stands out.
The Allied Democratic Forces are a jihadist armed group born in Uganda, that pledged alliance with ISIS and from 2013 intensified the attacks in North Kivu. They repeatedly declared that their goal is to establish the Khilafat in Central Africa, but analysts and public opinion both agree that the true goal of the Salafist is to grab a part of Congo’s richness.
The spread of armed group aims at keeping the “region of great lakes” in a constant situation of unstable insecurity, in order to facilitate a systematic mining exploitation from multinationals and foreign powers. This led the President of Congo Félix Tshisekedi to proclaim, on the first of May 2021, the “état de siège”. It is to say, the temporary suspension of shield laws or of the State Constitution, reaching the undertaking of civil powers from military authority, in northern Kivu and Ituri.
Up until today though, the “Etat de Siège” hasn’t stopped the violence, and the civilians again pay the highest price. They’re in a grip that gets more and more tight, with an overpowering army from one side and ferocious rebel groups from the other.