On December 27, 2024, Megé, a small village in the Watsa territory of the Haut-Uele province, became the site of a shocking confrontation, marked by unprecedented violence. Local authorities launched a “clearance” operation under the orders of Governor Jean Bakomito, resulting in widespread destruction and suffering.
On the morning of December 27, 2024, nearly 120 soldiers, led by Watsa Territory Administrator Magayi Misa Dieudonné, entered the village accompanied by bulldozers, spreading terror, destruction, and hardship among already vulnerable communities. The details are harrowing, and reports from local sources leave no doubt about the scale of the violence inflicted.
The numbers are overwhelming: more than 17 homes were set on fire and reduced to ashes. The residents, initially stunned, witnessed the destruction of their homes before their eyes. But that’s not all. The armed forces, acting with impunity, are also said to have destroyed the village’s drinking water supply, further condemning the local population to misery. These acts of extreme brutality raise serious questions about the legitimacy of the actions taken by local authorities.
The residents of Megé, distraught, are denouncing what they see as a criminal plot, especially since it appears to be driven by the hidden interests of multinational corporations operating in the region, particularly Kibali Gold Mine. Did Governor Jean Bakomito authorize these atrocities to protect the investments of this mining company at the expense of human lives and the dignity of local communities? This is the question on everyone’s lips. Moreover, some local observers are going even further, suggesting that these acts could be a repetition of the horrors experienced under Bakomito’s predecessor, his uncle Lola Kisanga. Under his regime, the population had already suffered a similar fate: the destruction of their homes to allow multinational companies to establish themselves deeper and further into ancestral lands.
A Political Manipulation: Is Jean Bakomito’s Uncle at the Heart of the Affair?
Some clues suggest that a family power struggle might be unfolding behind the scenes. Persistent rumors indicate that Jean Bakomito is preparing the region to welcome his uncle, Corneille Nanga. If this theory holds true, it would mean sacrificing an already marginalized population to serve the interests of a political and economic elite that has never hesitated to trample on the vulnerable to achieve its ambitions. For the people of Megé, these events resemble a state-sanctioned massacre, carried out under the direct orders of those willing to destroy human lives to serve their personal interests.
In light of the severity of the events, the Watsa communities are calling for immediate intervention from the relevant authorities. But the pressing question remains: who will defend these populations, who, already victims of the greed of large corporations, find themselves once again under the grip of a corrupt government? The Congolese state seems to be turning a blind eye, either unable or unwilling to see the looming humanitarian crisis. Some observers believe that the government’s silence in the face of these atrocities could be seen as tacit approval of the social cleansing policy being orchestrated by local authorities.
In the face of this human tragedy that is tearing apart the communities of Megé, our editorial team attempted, in vain, to contact Governor Jean Bakomito for clarification on the situation. Efforts to reach his office went unanswered, and our journalists’ calls received no attention. This indifference to such a grave crisis raises concerning questions. While the people of Watsa continue to flee violence and live in fear, the total lack of communication from provincial authorities speaks volumes about the opaque and dubious management of this situation. Sometimes, inaction speaks louder than words.
By Franck Zongwe Lukama
