Curfew imposed in DR Congo city following massacres, political leaders urged to put their differences aside

By

Sylvain Muyali

“The Provincial Government of North Kivu invite all leaders to overcome their political differences and work in the same direction to end the inhumane acts” that characterise the delicate situation marked by recent indiscriminate killings in the city of Beni.

This exhortation was made after the extraordinary council of the Provincial Government of North Kivu convened this Monday, November 3rd under the supervision of Governor Julien Paluku.

From the report read by Marie Shematsi Baeni, Spokesperson of the Provincial Executive of North Kivu, everyone needs to work in the same direction as there exists a danger to the whole nation, “both opposition and majority” called to join together.

According to this source, the Governor of the Province praised the bravery of Joseph Kabila, Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Congolese military (FARDC), after personally visiting Beni and addressing the population with regard to the acts of terrorism perpetrated by Ugandan ADF-NALU rebels in the territory. This trip, continued the source, was with the aim of adopting measures in order to stem the persistent insecurity in this part of North Kivu.

In the city and territory of Beni, he observed a new tactic of ADF-NALU terrorists who, by killing innocent people by stabbing, poison the waters of the peaceful population into retaliatory attacks, in turn discrediting the state, police and UN stabilization mission MONUSCO. A tendency to mob justice, with the risk of sacrificing innocent lives and widespread psychosis, constitute the bulk of the findings from the consultations held locally in Beni.

Following the massacre of the 1st and 2nd November in the Munzambayi cell of Boikene in Beni that claimed the lives of eleven people, the provincial authority relayed the message warning the entire population to be more vigilant and avoid falling into the enemy’s trap, whose goal is to break the macabre atmosphere of trust and collaboration between the public and specialised services.

Earlier this week Mayor Jean-Edmond Bwanakawa Masumbuko Nyonyi announced via local radio networks the introduction of a curfew in Beni following the atrocities attributed to Ugandan rebels of the ADF-NALU.

This decision emerged from a meeting of the urban safety committee of the city of Beni extended to the Commander of the 3rd Zone Defense, General Mushale, staying in the country to find ways and means to neutralise the rebels.

The city’s curfew began this Monday and is effective from 06.00 to 18.00 hours each day. Only law enforcement personnel (military and police) will be visible outside during this time, the Municipal Authority of Beni calling for strict observance of this recent measure.

Sylvain Muyali

Sylvain Muyali is a Journalist, Photographer and Filmmaker from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has reported previously for the Associated Press and his words and images can also be found at ‘Vivons Positivement‘