Photo Esther Ndalafina/Radio Okapi. Au milieu, le chef de bureau de la MONUSCO Mbuji Mayi entouré par les représentants des partis politiques de Lodja.

Lodja, 20 November 2011 – A joint delegation made up of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) officials was in Lodja, Sankuru District, Kasai Oriental province, on 16 November 2011, on a three-day mission to restore social cohesion in a territory hit by pre-election tensions.

The start of the on-going electoral process has witnessed high tension in Lodja and this has been fuelled by insults and hate statements in the media. In some cases these tensions have escalated into violent incidents resulting in the loss of human lives and property.

The joint MONUSCO-FARDC delegation held meetings with the local Security Council, administrative authorities, civil society representatives, political party leaders, media officials and traditional chiefs. They exchanged views on a set of issues, including the security, political and humanitarian situation, human rights and the internal conflict resolution mechanisms.

As a result of these exchanges, MONUSCO proposed that political parties establish a framework for dialogue among them as part of mechanisms to preserve peace throughout the electoral process. The local authorities welcomed this proposal and additionally requested MONUSCO to assist in resolving other latent conflicts, such as land-related and customary disputes.