Insecurity runs high in eastern DRC despite the visit of African Union (AU) security observers last month. Attacks against civilians and internal displacements of people sadly remain prevalent in Northern Kivu.

by Passy Mubalama, Goma

Antoine Mirindi shakes his head when he sees a convoy of 16 AU delegates. “Insecurity is a major concern here. Everyday, people who fled their villages because of rebel groups end up here”, explains this resident of Mabanga, in western Goma. “I don’t think much has changed these past few years, especially last month during which the number of displaced people increased dramatically”.

Armoured convoy
The AU delegates travelled in armoured vehicles under the protection of United Nations (UN) soldiers. Accompanied by the UN Secretary General Representative in the DRC, Roger Meece, these delegates were sent to monitor progress made in terms of security and development in the region.

“The aim of this visit is to gather objective information for our respective governments on the situation in Northern Kivu”, explained Ferdinand Massala Malonga, head of the delegation and Gabonese ambassador to the DRC.

An unacceptable situation
However, reality in the eastern DRC seems to paint a completely different picture, as argues another resident. “It is unacceptable! The condition of people in the Masisi, Rutshuru and Walikale regions is terrible. There is virutally no humanitarian assistance from international organisations or the Congolese government”, he stated.

Senior protection officer at the UN High Commission for Refugees, Guernas Guy Rufin, corroborated this statement and reported attacks against UN humanitarian personnel on certain routes. “The state of insecurity in Northern Kivu has forced the international community to suspend its activities in some parts of the province, especially in the region of Mwesso, where NGO have reportedly been attacked by armed gunmen in uniforms. Organisations such as the Norwegian Refugees Council (NRC) and Doctors Without Borders (DWB) were particularly affected”, Rufin explained. “The situation is hindering all humanitarian efforts”, he added.

Smokescreen
In order to assess the progress status with regards to security and internal displacements, the AU delegates only visited one refugee camp: the Mugunga refugee camp, in western Goma, home for more than 1,500 displaced people from surrounding villages. These populations include disabled and elderly people who live in precarious conditions, without any form of humanitarian assistance. Mugunga is the only refugee camp in Goma region. There are approximately 70,000 displaced people in Northern Kivu with 31 camps: 20 in Masisi, 10 in Rutshuru and one in the Nyiragongo region.

Screenplay
For the average man on the street, the visit of AU delegates is nothing more than a screenplay. “They couldn’t possibly assess the situation in just three days”, a Goma University student complained. “Rather than visiting only Mugunga which is more stable, they should have also visited Masisi, Rutshuru and even Walikale which truly portray the instability and insecurity of the region”, he concludes.