Attack against IDPs in Lushagala Extension Camp in Goma: Relief Aid Agencies should put on hold their activities in camps
Attack against the Internally Displaced Camp of Lushagala extension around Goma by armed people putting on Army Uniforms this Saturday October 5th, 2024 at around 8pm.
IDPs in Lushagala Extension Camp around Goma wondering why even the Congolese Army has not demonstrated the intention to protect them
This evening of Saturday 5th, 2024 armed people putting on Army Uniforms attacked Lushagala Extension IDP Camp in Mugunga, Karisimbi Division in Goma, North Kivu, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Information coming to us indicate that two IDPs were killed, and many others injured but also their things were looted by these armed people. Let us remind that this is the second in less than a month, recently again fighting between the army and armed groups claimed the lives of many people.
It is not yet clear why this happens now regularly but with the situation of war, all camps have not been in security and generally insecurity is caused by armed elements attributed to Congolese Army which is also deployed on frontline near these IDPs Camps. And unfortunately these officers have enjoyed a culture of impunity, they do what they want and no one will even ask what has happened in the following morning.There is no clear measures for the protection of IDP Camps in Goma apart from local initiative among IDPs themselves at local levels through their leadership, and unfortunately efforts are not being deployed to ensure the security of people in camps.Recently those attacked the camp also enjoyed impunity up to now nothing has been made, and now they are focusing on what IDPs have in their shelters.
With a legal case in Arusha Tanzania against Rwanda, it may be also possible that some armed people may be manipulated to commit crimes in order to show that attacks against IDPs are not only committed by Rwanda, especially that some officers within the DRC Army are believed to be pro-Rwanda and some militia groups are pro-Rwanda.
The DRC Government has failed to respect her commitment to ensure security in camps.
The only things which is remaining is to mobilize Relief Aid Agencies to stop their interventions in camps until security is restored and human rights organizations to open cases against those who have failed to do their work properly.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has shown less efforts to protect the people and more work should be done to make pressure of Government to take clear measures that not only ensure the protection of people including IDPs in camps but also which can reduce the threats to people and especially, taking all that it may to end this war.