CRP militia gunfire paralyzes Dz’na village in Djugu
Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Socioeconomic activities in the village of Dz’na, Djugu territory, have been paralyzed since Wednesday morning due to heavy and light arms fire attributed to the CRP militia.
- The militia's incursion, which began around 7:30 AM, forced a complete halt to agriculture, commerce, and education, ending a period of relative calm.
- Local residents are demanding the immediate departure of the CRP elements and are calling on the FARDC to intervene to restore state authority and ensure the return to daily life.
The fragile peace in Djugu territory has been shattered once again. Dz’na village, which had enjoyed several weeks of relative calm, was plunged into chaos on Wednesday morning by the sudden incursion of CRP militiamen. The sounds of heavy and light arms fire forced residents to abandon their fields and businesses, bringing all socioeconomic activities to a standstill. This violent disruption serves as a stark reminder of the persistent insecurity plaguing the region.
According to local sources, the CRP fighters, recently dislodged from Mabanga, retreated into the Dz’na-Kpadyu forest. From this vantage point, they unleashed their assault, reportedly targeting civilians in their fields. While no casualties have been reported thus far, the palpable fear among the population is undeniable. The armed men's continued presence in the vicinity of the village has created a climate of panic, with residents urgently demanding their expulsion.
The local civil society is amplifying the calls for decisive military action. They implore the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) to launch swift operations to neutralize these destabilizing elements. For the residents of Dz’na, only a robust security presence can guarantee the restoration of state authority and the return to normalcy. This incident underscores the precarious security situation in Djugu, where armed groups continue to pose a significant threat despite previous military operations.
Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.