“We need MONUSCO to restore security to our territory,” stated unequivocally Mungeni Yuma, coordinator of Civil Society/Forces Vives in the Mambasa territory, located 174 kilometers west of Bunia in Ituri Province.
For this key civil society leader, the presence of peacekeepers from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) remains essential in supporting the Congolese defense and security forces to restore stability in this part of the country, which has long been affected by armed violence.
A context marked by a resurgence of insecurity
After more than two years of relative calm, the territory of Mambasa has been facing a deterioration in the security situation since the beginning of the year. This deterioration is attributed in particular to the presence of members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), who were forced to retreat from the neighboring territory of Beni, in North Kivu, under pressure from military operations.
According to local security sources, these armed elements have carried out several deadly raids in various localities, including Muchacha, Babesoa, Bafwakoa, and as far as central Mambasa, killing more than 150 civilians.
Disinformation at the Root of Tensions
A few months ago, anti-MONUSCO protests were observed in the area, fueled mainly by disinformation campaigns spread on social media. Some young people falsely accused the UN Mission of being involved in the insecurity. For Mungeni Yuma, these tensions stemmed from a lack of information: “It was a lack of information. We community leaders ourselves had not been sufficiently educated to welcome MONUSCO, and neither had the young people,” he explained.
He emphasized that extensive outreach efforts have since been carried out, helping to correct these misperceptions: “Today, that outreach has taken place. MONUSCO is already established here with us, in the Nyangwe group, in the village of Bavalakaniki. Together, we will support this partner of the government.”
A Community Outreach Mission to Restore
Trust In this context, a multidisciplinary MONUSCO mission has been stationed in Mambasa-Centre since June 23. The goal is to strengthen communication with local communities and clarify the Mission’s mandate. During this mission, UN teams consulted with a wide range of stakeholders: civil society organizations, youth associations, women’s organizations, media professionals, and political and administrative authorities. These exchanges aim to: reestablish dialogue with the local population; strengthen civil-military collaboration; and encourage community participation in efforts to protect civilians. “Thanks to the arrival of MONUSCO, which will support the FARDC and the UPDF, we are hopeful that Mambasa will be spared this situation,” said Mungeni Yuma.
Renewed Commitment from Youth
Local youth leaders also acknowledge the decisive role that misinformation played in past tensions with MONUSCO. Following the awareness-raising sessions, they committed to promoting constructive collaboration with the Mission and the security forces. “It’s very important to combat misinformation, because it can derail any mission,” emphasized Hemedi Omba, president of the Mambasa Territorial Youth Council.
In particular, he denounced the unfounded rumors circulating in the community about MONUSCO: “It was claimed that MONUSCO was supplying machetes to the ADF or fueling insecurity. This misinformation led some young people to block MONUSCO’s movements.” Thanks to joint awareness-raising efforts, a notable shift in perceptions was observed: “After explanations and dialogue, the young people understood that what they had heard had nothing to do with reality. We even sent a letter officially inviting MONUSCO to return to Mambasa.”
Toward a Strengthened Partnership for the Protection of Civilians
Following these consultations, MONUSCO and local communities agreed to strengthen their cooperation on the protection of civilians. Among the concrete measures announced is the establishment of an early warning hotline designed to facilitate the rapid reporting of security information. This initiative aims to improve responsiveness to threats and strengthen coordination between the population, the defense forces, and the Mission.
Combating Disinformation and Hate Speech
The mission will conclude with a session dedicated to combating disinformation and hate speech, bringing together various community stakeholders, including: youth leaders; representatives of women’s organizations; members of civil society; WhatsApp group administrators; and media professionals. All agree on the need to combat this phenomenon, which has long strained the relationship between MONUSCO and local communities, thereby undermining collective stabilization efforts. The discussions held in Mambasa reflect a shared commitment to move beyond past misunderstandings and build a strong partnership based on trust, transparency, and shared responsibility. Through this rapprochement, the people of Mambasa reaffirm their commitment to playing an active role in promoting peace and protecting civilians, alongside MONUSCO and national authorities.
Jean-Tobie OKALA
