Economic activities were paralyzed this Friday, March 1st, in the city of Bunia following the funeral of the 15 individuals killed by the CODECO militia on February 16th in Tali-Singo, about twenty kilometres from Bunia in the Djugu territory.
After the bodies were collected this morning in Bunia, the remains were transferred to Katsu where they will be buried. A strong security presence was observed in certain parts of the city.
Shops, markets, service stations, banks, telecommunication establishments, hair salons, and many other businesses have remained closed since the morning.
Only pharmacies are open. In the early hours of the morning, a few residents including shopkeepers, motorcyclists, and other merchants positioned themselves along the thoroughfares of Lumumba Boulevard.
Some said they were responding to the call for a day of mourning issued by the Ente community, members of which were killed two weeks ago by a faction of the CODECO militia opposed to the peace process in Tali-Singo.
Others say they complied with this call out of fear of looting of their property and shops if they distanced themselves from this mourning action.
Policemen, supported by the soldiers of the FARDC, have been deployed at certain intersections and other hotspots in the town. This is to prevent any potential overflow, says the city's Urban Commander, Colonel Abeli Mwangu, who asserts that no incidents were recorded. A huge crowd, escorted by the police and the army, accompanied the bodies of the victims in an atmosphere of sadness and deep emotion.
Last Thursday, Colonel Abeli Mwangu had called on the youth to remain calm after this massacre.
MMC / RO