In Fataki and Bule, in Djugu Territory, Ituri Province, MONUSCO peacekeepers are continuing their civilian protection operations in a still-fragile security environment. MONUSCO Force Commander Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes visited the two localities on 26 August, as part of a four-day visit to the province.
In both areas, clashes in recent months between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and fighters from the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CRP) have triggered significant population movements.
In response, peacekeepers are maintaining a presence on the ground, conducting regular patrols, including jointly with the Congolese army, to protect civilians, secure key roads and enable communities to gradually resume their activities. The first signs of recovery are visible: residents are returning to their fields and gradually preparing to go back to their villages.
In Fataki, a presence to protect and reassure
MONUSCO's Nepalese peacekeepers maintain a regular presence, particularly along National Road 27 (RN27), a vital route for population movements and trade in Fataki. Day and night, they patrol the main roads and high-risk areas, including alongside FARDC forces. Their presence also extends to more remote localities to prevent violence, reassure communities and facilitate their movements.
Beyond patrols, they engage with communities and local authorities to support the resumption of activities and the gradual return of displaced people.
According to Colonel Rufin Mapela, Administrator of Djugu Territory, these efforts are beginning to produce results.
“Overall, we are seeing an improvement in the security situation thanks to collaboration with MONUSCO. We remain confident that this operational collaboration will continue in order to consolidate the gains made and enable people to gradually return to their communities,” he said during the visit of the MONUSCO Force Commander.
In Bule, hope for a return re-emerges
A few dozen kilometres away, civilian protection efforts are supported in particular by the Bayoo operational base, staffed by Bangladeshi peacekeepers. In this area, which has been particularly affected by clashes, they conduct patrols and engage directly with local communities.
Beyond patrols, the Bangladeshi contingent carries out several community-focused initiatives throughout its area of responsibility. The “Secure Harvest” operation, aimed at ensuring safe access to agricultural areas, has benefited more than 36,000 people, while the “Safe Schooling” initiative, which helps secure access to schools, has reached more than 24,000 people. Since December 2025, 17 medical campaigns have also provided healthcare to nearly 1,700 people.
These efforts are particularly important in Bule, where a large part of the population had fled the fighting and sought refuge, notably at the Savo Plain displacement site. After around nine months away, some residents are now returning during the day to clean their homes, cultivate their fields and prepare for their return.
In the area, more than 60,000 people living in displacement sites are considering returning to their villages. However, the return remains challenging: many homes and infrastructure have been destroyed, while access to drinking water, healthcare and other essential services remains limited.
“We are here to protect the population”
For the MONUSCO Force Commander, the developments observed in Fataki and Bule are encouraging, but efforts must continue alongside the Congolese security forces.
“We had extensive discussions with the FARDC leadership. We see that the security situation in Fataki and Bule is improving thanks to the joint efforts of MONUSCO and the FARDC. We are continuing our operations on the ground to protect civilians and combat armed groups. We hope that people will be able to return to their villages and resume normal lives. We are here to protect them,” said Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes.
For Jim Mutunda, representative of the Governor of Ituri, MONUSCO’s presence alongside national forces is helping to create the conditions necessary for civilians to return.
“The Governor’s wish is for people to be able to leave the displacement sites and return to their communities. MONUSCO is present alongside the FARDC through joint missions and patrols to accompany and protect the population,” he said.
Following visits to Komanda and Bogoro the previous day, the stop in Fataki and Bayoo allowed the Force Commander to reaffirm MONUSCO’s commitment to continuing its efforts to protect civilians in Ituri.
Didier Vignon DOSSOU-GBAKON
