**War Displaced Person Killed by Armed Bandits at Lushagala Camp**
A young displaced person from the city of Sake, in the Kamuronza group (Masisi territory), was killed by unidentified armed bandits early this Tuesday, January 14th, at the Lushagala site, in the Mugunga neighborhood, west of the city of Goma. Local sources report that this murder took place around 3 a.m. The criminals stormed the displaced camp and riddled this young person with bullets.
Increasing Violence Against Displaced Persons
“It’s a tragedy that a young person was killed in the displaced camp today between 3 and 4 in the morning. Bandits visited his hut and fired several shots at him. He died on the spot,” said Tshibambe Bujiriri Paul Bienvenu, president of the civil society of Mugunga.
This incident is yet another in a series of targeted killings against displaced persons at this site. Numerous appeals have been made to the authorities to put an end to the circulation of weapons in displaced camps and to implement a curfew to apprehend carriers.
Urgent Calls for Increased Security Measures
Similar to various displaced leaders, grassroots leaders, especially the chiefs of the Mugunga and Lac Vert neighborhoods, which host a large number of displaced sites, have consistently denounced the uncontrolled circulation of firearms in these areas where residents have fled the M23 war.
Over the weekend, at least 18 suspected armed bandits were arrested, and several other military items were intercepted during a lockdown in the Lushagala displaced camp. They were presented to the urban security committee members within the camp by the coordinator assigned to secure the displaced sites.
Rising Death Toll in Displaced Camps
It is estimated that around ten people have been killed by gunfire in the past few months in various displaced sites in Goma and its surroundings. The situation remains tense as the violence against displaced persons continues to escalate.
Josué Mutanava, reporting from Goma
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**Humanizing Touch:**
Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of gunshots, only to find out that a young person from your community has been brutally killed by armed bandits. The sense of fear and helplessness that must grip the residents of the Lushagala camp is unimaginable. Despite numerous pleas for increased security measures, the violence against displaced persons persists, leaving families shattered and communities in mourning. It is crucial for authorities to take swift action to protect these vulnerable populations and ensure their safety in these tumultuous times. Let us reflect on the importance of peace and security in our society and work towards a future where such senseless acts of violence are no longer a reality.