DRC's 'Operation Sokola' to free Beni territory as residents live in fear

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are continuing with their operations to neutralize Beni Territory in North Kivu province, after recent rebel attacks left 30 people dead.

According to a provisional report of the operation dubbed SOKOLA1, deployed in the area two weeks ago, 15 Alliance of Democratic Forces (ADF-NALU) rebels have been killed, 5 captured, and three strongholds recaptured.

But these developments are far from reassuring to the people of Eringeti, 60km from Beni town.

“We live in abject fear after the horrible massacre recently. We have been unable to carry out our daily activities as usual, and we spend our nights outdoors for fear that our houses will be burned while we are asleep. We have no food because its difficult to go out to the fields,“says Munaesu Butanga, a resident.

Civil Society and local human rights NGOs have criticized the government, citing lack of political will from the current leaders of the country to put an end to these massacres.

And over the recent weeks, NGOs have signed petitions, calling the Congolese government to step in and stop the massacres in eastern DRC.