In the town of Oicha, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, activities have been at a standstill since November 3. Local civil society has called for an indefinite strike to denounce the inaction of the authorities in the face of the resurgence of insecurity in the Beni region, despite the state of siege.

Paralysis to demand action

Since Monday, the city of Oicha, capital of the Beni territory (North Kivu province), has been paralyzed. Schools, shops, markets, and public transport remain closed, ignoring calls from local authorities to resume activities.

Civil society, which initiated the movement, seeks to force the government to guarantee better protection for civilians. It also demands the replacement of several local administration and police officials, accused of "inaction and incompetence".

A demonstration planned for this Friday (November 7th) was banned by the authorities. However, residents gathered in a community hall to express their frustration.

"We are here to say enough is enough! We want to push the authorities to take responsibility since it is their duty to keep us safe," said Junio Kathaka, a resident present at the meeting.

Mr. Kathaka expresses the feeling of a population living in constant fear: "Everyone is now afraid to be at home, afraid to go to the fields. Where there is a state of siege, every day you see the military confronting the ADF. This war is not being taken seriously."

The collateral damage of the protest

While the strike's objective is to save lives, it has a direct impact on the daily lives of the most vulnerable. Julie Kahindo, who sells tomatoes and vegetables at the market, finds herself in a critical situation:

"This strike will severely disrupt my business," she laments. "Now my tomatoes are rotten, a large quantity will have to be thrown away. I urge the organizers of these strike days to consider other strategies to allow us to sell our perishable produce."

She explains that she is now struggling to feed her children because of the interruption of her business activity.

Suggested alternatives

Beyond the protests, some voices suggest a different approach to resolving the security problem. For lawyer Fidèle Andera of the NGO Ubuntu Panafrica, civil society should instead encourage engagement within the armed forces.

"I understand the demands of the population since we have been waiting for security for 30 years. If we want the Congolese state to have a force that protects us, it is up to us, the young people, to join the army," he says.

According to him, the real problem lies in the lack of resources: "What is the budget allocated for the army and for the police? Because that is the real problem in Congo."

Historical context:

1. The Beni region has been plagued by violence from armed groups since 2014, with the rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) at the forefront.
2. In May 2021, the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri were placed under a state of siege , transferring authority to the military, a measure which, however, failed to end the insecurity.