Official response to allegations of insecurity in Isiro
The communication office of the Haut-Uele provincial government has issued a firm response regarding recent speculation surrounding Governor Jean Bakomito Gambu. Muammar Awoni, the head of the communication cell, addressed claims suggesting a potential link between the provincial authority and Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the AFC/M23 movement.
According to the official statement, several points in recent reports are factually incorrect. First, the governor’s office denies that any economic paralysis occurred in Isiro on June 17, 2026. Local observations, they claim, show that business activities continued as usual. Furthermore, the absence of students in schools was attributed to the standard end-of-year academic calendar in the Democratic Republic of Congo, rather than a strike or protest. The office also maintains that no public demonstrations took place on that specific date.
Commitment to provincial security and FARDC support
The administration emphasizes that Governor Jean Bakomito Gambu remains a dedicated defender of peace within Haut-Uele. He has been at the forefront of efforts to sensitize the population against the maneuvers of national enemies, specifically those allied with Paul Kagame and Corneille Nangaa. The latter is widely blamed for the violence and loss of life in the eastern part of the country.
Regarding the security situation on the ground, the communication cell highlights several key achievements:
- Urban Security: Recent acts of banditry in Isiro have been neutralized, restoring calm to the city.
- Counter-ADF Operations: In the Watsa territory, specifically around Mungbere, the FARDC has successfully managed incursions by suspected ADF elements.
- Logistical Support: Governor Bakomito has provided the FARDC with multiple vehicles and significant logistical resources to bolster their field operations.
- High-Level Oversight: The presence of the FARDC Deputy Chief of General Staff in charge of operations and intelligence in the province underscores the national government’s focus on securing the region.
The governor’s office views the accusations as a smear campaign intended to damage the reputation of the provincial authority. They assert that Jean Bakomito Gambu continues to work under the vision of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo to consolidate peace and development.
Contradictory reports on Isiro’s activity
Despite the total denial from the communication cell, other official voices within the provincial government have offered a slightly different perspective. Arama Odingo-Kiro Emmanuel, the Provincial Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, previously addressed the same events. He noted that while the government respects the public’s right to express concerns, a single day of paralyzed activity should not be misinterpreted as evidence of the Governor’s complicity with armed groups.
This internal discrepancy highlights the tension in the region as local leaders attempt to manage both public security concerns and the political fallout from rumors of rebel influence. While the governor’s team insists on total normalcy, the underlying anxiety regarding the AFC/M23 threat remains a central issue for the residents of Haut-Uele.
