As of December 26, 2024, the situation in the Haut-Uele province has reached a critical point. The Kibali Gold Mine, with the complicity of Governor Jean Bakomito, is orchestrating a true economic war against the local population. Under the pretext of forced relocation and development, this company is flagrantly violating the fundamental rights of people in areas such as Ouatcha, Kibali, MandraMandra, Mege, and Bandaï.
For several years, Kibali Gold Mine, specializing in gold extraction, has been committing numerous atrocities against local communities. In collaboration with the provincial government, the company launched a large-scale project to relocate several villages in order to gain access to the coveted land. Instead of respecting the residents’ rights and compensating them, Kibali has engaged in rampant pillaging and massive destruction.
Over 25 households were forced to flee their homes under threats from the military, sent by Governor Jean Bakomito to support the company. Homes, crops, and valuable goods were destroyed or seized, forcing the inhabitants to seek refuge in nearby forests to escape the repression. The impunity enjoyed by Kibali Mining is directly tied to the active support of Governor Jean Bakomito. Not only did he allow this violence, but he actively encouraged the actions of the mining company, issuing direct orders to the military to suppress the local population.
Bakomito, a trained lawyer, appears to have forgotten the principles of the rule of law. Persistent rumors suggest that the governor may be related to Corneil Nanga of the Alliance of the Forces of Congo (AFC), a faction backed by Rwanda and linked to the M23. As of December 26, 2024, reports detail indescribable physical violence, including torture and extrajudicial executions. One particularly shocking case involves a pregnant woman, eight months along, who lost her child due to the violence inflicted by the military.
The local population, who had called for dialogue to find a peaceful solution, has been systematically ignored. Their demands for compensation, dignified relocation, and respect for their land rights were brushed aside. Following the tragic events of December 26, 2024, the people of Haut-Uele are turning to the Ministry of the Interior, Security, and Customary Affairs, led by Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo. The victims and their representatives are urgently asking Mr. Shabani to take charge of this pressing matter and conduct a thorough investigation into the abuses committed by Kibali Gold Mine, with the presumed complicity of Governor Jean Bakomito. The National Association of Victims of Congo (ANVC) is amplifying these calls for justice. It urges Minister Shabani to act swiftly to: immediately end forced displacement and violence against local communities; investigate allegations of collusion between Governor Bakomito and Kibali Gold Mine; ensure the protection of displaced people and facilitate their safe return; establish a fair compensation mechanism for victims; and hold those responsible for these acts of violence and illegal expropriation accountable.
KilaloPress attempted to contact Governor Jean Bakomito of Haut-Uele province for his version of the events, as well as representatives from Kibali Gold Mine, but these efforts have been unsuccessful. No response has been received to date, raising questions about the silence of the parties involved.
The speed and effectiveness of the Ministry’s response will be critical to prevent further escalation of this humanitarian crisis and restore the rule of law in Haut-Uele province. For Congo to move towards true reconciliation and sustainable development, these scandalous practices must cease. The country’s natural resources should not be used to enrich a few at the expense of the majority. Justice appears to be the only path forward for a future where human rights are respected and protected.
By Franck Zongwe Lukama
