Since the start of the conflict between the Mbole and Lengola communities, commercial activities have been paralyzed, leading to an increase in the prices of basic necessities. The population has difficulty obtaining supplies, and the scarcity of these products, which come from the city of Kisangani, the supply center for economic operators in the region, is increasing.
For the administrator of the Ubundu territory, Yamulamba Kadita Verdote, “the Ubundu territory remains landlocked, and traffic no longer occurs as in previous years. A liter of gasoline currently costs 6,000 FC, instead of 4,000 or the usual 4,500 FC, and this product has become rare. A cup of rice is sold at 1,500 FC, a price higher than that charged in Kisangani. Life has become very difficult for households.
In addition to the degradation of the Kisangani-Ubundu road, the Mbole-Lengola conflict has caused a massive displacement of teachers and nurses fleeing the attacks, particularly those who are not from Ubundu territory. They were forced to join their respective families and leave their posts.
The administrator of Ubundu specifies: “Most medical structures in this territory are closed due to the absence of nurses. The attackers looted pharmaceutical products and essential equipment for patient care. A large number of schools are not functioning because teachers have fled the atrocities since the start of this intercommunal conflict, which began in January and continued until August. We fear epidemics, otherwise we will record deaths.
On the security front, bandits are sowing insecurity on the Ubundu road. In October, a highway robber was arrested while trying to steal large sums of money from economic operators coming from Kisangani. He was taken to the Lubunga commune police office with his weapon. Currently, this road is practically abandoned by vehicles.
“We ask the provincial authorities to rehabilitate the Kisangani-Ubundu road to open up our territory and to install police sub-CIATs along this road to secure users. This would allow the population to stock up on health products. basic necessity, which have become extremely expensive here in Ubundu, especially salt, sugar and manufactured products. We are really counting on the support of our authorities. We are impatiently awaiting the holding of a round table to restore peace and promote living. together between the two communities in conflict,” underlined the administrator of the Ubundu territory.
Due to the deterioration of the Kisangani-Ubundu road, this route has become impassable. The inhabitants of this territory are forced to take the river route, punctuated by falls and rapids, with all the risks of shipwrecks and loss of life and property. Economic operators in the neighboring province of Maniema are also experiencing difficulties obtaining supplies.
According to official sources, the rehabilitation of the Kisangani-Ubundu road is planned in the coming days, although without specifying the timetable.
Gabriel Makabu in Kisangani
