Mindouli residents urged to return home
Authorities in Congo-Brazzaville say the time has come for dispersed residents of Mindouli, in the Pool department, to return to their homes and resume normal life. The appeal was made on January 15 in Brazzaville by Séraphin Ondélé, according to the Congolese Information Agency (ACI).
Séraphin Ondélé is described by ACI as prefect, chief of staff to the Minister of the Interior and Decentralization, and president of the mixed ad-hoc parity commission known as CAMP. Speaking at a press briefing, he called for calm, daily work, and a return to routine “in peace and serenity” (ACI).
CAMP meeting focused on January 11 events
The statement came after a CAMP meeting held from January 12 to January 15. ACI reports the sessions were dedicated to the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities agreement between the government and Reverend Pastor Frédéric Ntumi Bintsamou, following what the agency called tragic events that occurred in Mindouli on January 11.
According to ACI, the press briefing was organized at the end of those talks. The commission, whose role is to implement the agreement, used the moment to reaffirm its commitment to continuing work aimed at a definitive resolution of the situation. The tone was presented as one of de-escalation and reassurance (ACI).
Public order, travel, and daily life in Pool
Séraphin Ondélé said public order, which he indicated had been disrupted, must be restored, consolidated, and maintained. The purpose, he said, is to guarantee the circulation of people and goods—an issue that directly affects school, markets, health access, and transport in the Pool department (ACI).
In his message to residents, he also urged citizens of Mindouli to observe the Republic’s laws and regulations. ACI reports he framed this as necessary to protect the rights and freedoms of everyone, while allowing community life to restart without fear or further disruption.
Social media responsibility and calls for calm
Beyond the security message, Ondélé addressed the role of online discussions. He called on social media users to show responsibility in what they publish, warning against content that does not contribute to calming tensions. In the official narrative relayed by ACI, communication is treated as part of prevention and stabilization.
The commission’s emphasis on restraint reflects a broader concern: in moments of uncertainty, rumors and unverified posts can circulate faster than official information. ACI’s account highlights the preference for messages that support appeasement, while institutions continue their work through the CAMP framework.
What happened in Mindouli, according to ACI
ACI attributes the January 11 events in Mindouli to clashes involving agents of the General Directorate of Presidential Security (DGSP) and militiamen linked to Pastor Frédéric Ntumi Bintsamou. The agency refers to the episode as “tragic,” without detailing a toll or operational specifics in the text provided.
Within these limits, officials’ priority, as presented, is to restore normal movement and encourage residents who fled to return. The overall message is that the state is seeking to re-establish stability through established mechanisms, including the commission overseeing the ceasefire agreement (ACI).
Practical guidance for families considering return
For families thinking about returning to Mindouli, the official call is clear: go back to your homes and resume daily activities, in line with the laws and regulations of the Republic. The authorities’ stated objective is a secure environment where people can circulate and livelihoods can restart (ACI).
At the same time, residents are implicitly encouraged to rely on verified information and avoid amplifying posts that heighten tensions. In ACI’s reporting, public order and civic responsibility are presented as the two pillars meant to support a return to routine in Mindouli after the January 11 shock.
