Breaking News: Three Dead in Intercommunal Clashes in Yahuma
In a recent outbreak of violence in the Yahuma territory between December 31, 2024, and January 3, 2025, three lives have been lost, including that of a woman. Additionally, a hundred houses were set ablaze, and numerous individuals sustained severe injuries.
Origin of the Conflict
The clashes erupted following a rumor implicating the guards of the chief of the Bokala ya Yalomboka group, who were accused of assaulting a young man from the Bolembe village. This accusation sparked outrage among the residents of Bolembe, leading them to retaliate against those from Yalomboka, triggering a series of violent confrontations.
Escalation and Lack of Intervention
The situation escalated, plunging both communities into a cycle of armed violence, primarily using bladed weapons. Several individuals suffered injuries, with some enduring mutilations such as severed hands, necessitating their transfer to local medical facilities. Despite the severity of the events, no intervention from local authorities or the Congolese national police was reported during the four-day duration of the clashes.
Appeals for Calm
Paul Lokesa Bamboli, the elected representative of Yahuma and rapporteur at the Tshopo Provincial Assembly, urged both communities to exercise restraint, stating, “I urge the residents of these communities to remain calm, refrain from resorting to violence, and instead preserve social peace, unity, and coexistence, as you are all brothers and sisters.”
Government Response
In response to the provincial deputy’s alert, Tshopo Governor Paulin Lendongolia dispatched a joint team comprising the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and the national police to restore peace, security, and the state’s authority in this region that had been devoid of official presence for several days. The tensions between the Bolembe and Yalomboka villages underscore the critical need for proactive intervention by authorities to prevent further escalations and sustainably restore social cohesion.
Gabriel Makabu, reporting from Kisangani