[ De l’incursion des éleveurs nomades Mbororo dans le Bas-Uélé: Quelles menaces et opportunités pour la RD Congo? ]
Volume 85, Issue 2, July 2026, Pages 89–97
Célestin Bela Egwasa1
1 Chef de Travaux, Institut Supérieur de Développement Rural de Amadi, RD Congo
Original language: French
Copyright © 2026 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The Mbororo, Fulani pastoralists originally from the Central African Republic, Sudan and Chad, have migrated en masse to the territories of Ango, Poko and Bondo (Bas-Uélé, DRC) since the 2000s, with around 15,000 people and 500,000 head of cattle in 2010, thereby altering the local demographics. A study (2004–2011) analyses this controversy using the MOFF framework, interviews (a sample of 350 people: Mbororo, government officials, civil society representatives and indigenous communities) and direct observations. Threats include water pollution, ecosystem degradation, agricultural destruction, illicit mining (gold, diamonds), community tensions, the circulation of weapons and terrorist risks (alleged links to the LRA). Opportunities relate to increased demand for meat, milk and agricultural produce. Strengths: Territorial integrity maintained, Mbororo loyalty to the authorities. Weaknesses: Porous borders, lack of population registration, impunity and absence of controls. Register/regularise/expel irregular migrants, strengthen borders and combat illegal immigration, the Mbororo must respect the law and avoid conflicts.
Author Keywords: Bas-Uélé, community conflicts, Mbororo, nomadic migration, pastoral transhumance, security threats.
Volume 85, Issue 2, July 2026, Pages 89–97
Célestin Bela Egwasa1
1 Chef de Travaux, Institut Supérieur de Développement Rural de Amadi, RD Congo
Original language: French
Copyright © 2026 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
The Mbororo, Fulani pastoralists originally from the Central African Republic, Sudan and Chad, have migrated en masse to the territories of Ango, Poko and Bondo (Bas-Uélé, DRC) since the 2000s, with around 15,000 people and 500,000 head of cattle in 2010, thereby altering the local demographics. A study (2004–2011) analyses this controversy using the MOFF framework, interviews (a sample of 350 people: Mbororo, government officials, civil society representatives and indigenous communities) and direct observations. Threats include water pollution, ecosystem degradation, agricultural destruction, illicit mining (gold, diamonds), community tensions, the circulation of weapons and terrorist risks (alleged links to the LRA). Opportunities relate to increased demand for meat, milk and agricultural produce. Strengths: Territorial integrity maintained, Mbororo loyalty to the authorities. Weaknesses: Porous borders, lack of population registration, impunity and absence of controls. Register/regularise/expel irregular migrants, strengthen borders and combat illegal immigration, the Mbororo must respect the law and avoid conflicts.
Author Keywords: Bas-Uélé, community conflicts, Mbororo, nomadic migration, pastoral transhumance, security threats.
Abstract: (french)
Les Mbororo, pasteurs peuls originaires de RCA, Soudan et Chad, ont migré massivement vers les territoires d’Ango, Poko et Bondo (Bas-Uélé, RDC) depuis les années 2000, avec environ 15 000 personnes et 500 000 têtes de bétail en 2010, altérant la démographie locale. Une étude (2004-2011) analyse cette controverse via la grille MOFF, des entretiens (échantillon de 350 personnes: Mbororo, État, société civile, autochtones) et observations directes. Les menaces incluent pollution des eaux, dégradation écosystémique, destruction agricole, exploitation illicite (or, diamants), tensions communautaires, circulation d’armes et risques terroristes (liens supposés LRA). Les opportunités portent sur l’accroissement de viande, lait et demande agricole. Forces: Intégrité territoriale maintenue, allégeance des Mbororo aux autorités. Faiblesses: Frontalières poreuses, non-recensement des effectifs, impunité et absence de contrôles. Recenser/régulariser/expulser les irréguliers, renforcer les frontières et combattre l’immigration clandestine, les Mbororo devant respecter les lois et éviter les conflits.
Author Keywords: Bas-Uélé, Conflits communautaires, Mbororo, Menaces sécuritaires, Migration nomade, Transhumance pastorale.
How to Cite this Article
Célestin Bela Egwasa, “The incursion of Mbororo nomadic herders into Bas-Uélé: What threats and opportunities does this pose for the Democratic Republic of the Congo?,” International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research, vol. 85, no. 2, pp. 89–97, July 2026.
