MWE Correspondent
In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, tension is growing among civil society groups and community leaders who are questioning whether the cooperation between the national army, FARDC,
and several pro-government militia groups can remain stable amid rising incidents of violence. Recent confrontations in Uvira and reports of misconduct have intensified doubts about how long this partnership can hold.
Residents in Uvira say they were shocked to witness open disagreements between government soldiers and militia fighters who are officially meant to operate alongside them. What began as a coordinated security effort now appears uncertain, with locals warning that these clashes might reflect deeper structural problems within the joint operations.
Concerns escalated sharply after a disturbing incident in Butembo, North Kivu, where a university student was fatally shot by a fighter from a group identifying itself as patriotic. Civil society networks strongly condemned the killing, arguing that it exposed a troubling lack of discipline among armed actors and further weakened public confidence in the security arrangements.
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At the same time, communities using rural roads have complained about illegal checkpoints reportedly established by both FARDC soldiers and militia groups. According to local monitors, civilians are being forced to pay money to pass through these roadblocks — a heavy burden for families already struggling with the economic impact of prolonged conflict.
Security analysts say this comes at a moment when the region is especially fragile. Eastern DRC has endured decades of violence linked to various armed groups, political tensions, and limited state control. A broader understanding of the historical context can be found in the Kivu conflict, which continues to shape the area’s instability.
While authorities in Kinshasa have not issued a detailed statement, experts warn that the alliance between FARDC and militia groups was always delicate. Weak command structures may be allowing individual fighters to act on their own, raising the risk of further incidents that could alienate civilians even more.
Community leaders in both Uvira and Butembo are now urging the government to open investigations and review the framework guiding the army’s collaboration with militia groups. They argue that transparent leadership, stronger oversight, and clear rules of engagement are crucial if the region is to rebuild trust and avoid deeper security setbacks.
Human rights organizations, too, emphasize the importance of safeguarding civilians above everything else. Many residents hope that increased accountability will help prevent further abuses and bring stability to a region that has endured hardship for far too long.
