BUNIA, DRC β Newly appointed Ituri military governor Maj. Gen. Gaby Kasongo has pledged to restore peace, return displaced families and revive economic activity in the conflict-ravaged province, where nearly one million people remain uprooted by years of violence.
Kasongo made the remarks during his inauguration ceremony on June 20, 2026, in Bunia, the provincial capital. He stated that his priority is to end attacks by armed groups, which have displaced hundreds of thousands since 2017, and to create conditions for voluntary returns.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that as of early 2026, approximately 980,000 people are internally displaced in Ituri, with many living in camps or with host families. The province has seen a resurgence of violence by militias such as the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
Kasongo, a former commander of the Congolese army's 32nd military region, replaces Lt. Gen. Johnny Luboya Nkashama, who was appointed to a new role. The governor called on armed groups to lay down their weapons and join the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program.
Local civil society groups have welcomed the pledge but urged the governor to address root causes of the conflict, including land disputes and intercommunal tensions. The international community, including MONUSCO, has offered support for stabilization efforts.
