The conflict in Kwamouth, DRC, between the Teke and Yaka communities began in June 2022 over land rights, resulting in over 146,000 people displaced by violence. Humanitarian needs have escalated, with 2.78 million requiring assistance in 2024. Violent incidents have surged, emphasizing the urgency for effective intervention and conflict resolution strategies.
The conflict in Kwamouth territory, located in the Mai-Ndombe province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has escalated due to a historical dispute over land rights between the Teke and Yaka communities. This strife, ignited in June 2022, has led to severe clashes as both groups challenge each other’s claims to ancestral lands along the Congo River, exacerbated by rising population pressures and political dynamics. The Teke, who assert their original ownership of the land, have increasingly confronted the Yaka and newer arrivals engaged in agricultural work.
Since the outbreak of violence, intercommunal clashes have resulted in widespread displacement, with approximately 146,000 individuals forced to flee their homes by October 2024. Key provinces impacted include Kwango, Kwilu, and Mai-Ndombe, with the capital Kinshasa experiencing spillover effects as conflict reaches its outskirts. Reports indicate that between June 2022 and March 2023, Yaka militias conducted raids on numerous Teke villages, and retaliatory attacks have occurred from Teke armed groups, causing significant casualties and property destruction in the affected areas.
The humanitarian situation is dire, with nearly 2.78 million individuals in need of assistance by January 2024. Essential needs include shelter, food, safe water and sanitation (WASH), healthcare services, and protection, among others. Furthermore, ongoing violence has severely disrupted vital services and hindered access to aid, adding to the instability in the region. In 2024 alone, violent incidents have contributed to 191 fatalities across the provinces, underscoring the urgent necessity for comprehensive intervention strategies to address this protracted humanitarian crisis.
The longstanding conflict in the Kwamouth territory of the DRC is rooted in a deep-seated historical dispute over land ownership between the indigenous Teke community and the Yaka and other immigrants engaged in agriculture. Both groups have coexisted for generations, but recent demographic pressures and political manipulations have intensified tensions. The repercussions of this violence have led to significant humanitarian challenges and widespread displacement, which necessitate urgent attention from domestic and international actors.
The ongoing conflict between the Teke and Yaka communities in the DRC represents a complex interplay of historical grievance, demographic shifts, and political instability. With an alarming number of displaced individuals and growing humanitarian needs, it is crucial for stakeholders to pursue constructive dialogue and implement effective peace-building measures. Left unaddressed, the cycle of violence and suffering will only deepen, posing further threats to regional security and stability.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
