Masisi: ex-combatants pledge to participate in the development of their host communities

"We are very satisfied with the training in the installation of public lighting," says one of the beneficiaries. Photo Ong COMOA / Guillain Mulimbwa

13 May 2022

Masisi: ex-combatants pledge to participate in the development of their host communities

Jean-Claude Bahati Muhindo

"After taking up arms, it is now time to develop our communities," says an ex-combatant involved in the project to install public lighting in the locality of Karuba, in Masisi territory.

Funded by MONUSCO to the tune of US$49,820 through its Community Violence Reduction (CVR) programme, this project will have benefited more than 60 people, including 20 vulnerable women and 10 ex-combatants. The latter had laid down their arms with MONUSCO's DDR/RR (demobilisation and reintegration) section under the PDDRCS programme.

Happy to be part of this project, these former militiamen have committed themselves to using their strengths through development actions in order to contribute to the sustainable stability of their communities.

The impact of this project is indeed significant on the lives of the people of Karuba. "I am happy because when we used to come back from our rural activities, there were bandits who would steal all our goods because of the darkness. Now we are reassured because when we return we are well secured", says a woman beneficiary.

Other beneficiaries were trained in the proper management of street lights, including the installation and repair of electronic equipment related to public lighting. "We are very satisfied with the training in the installation of public lighting. It will also enable us to use the knowledge in the search for employment by installing street lights in our villages," says one of them.

With the income from this project, some beneficiaries intend to create income-generating activities. This is the case of Julienne, one of the women involved in this project. While thanking MONUSCO for this initiative, she encourages other young people from Karuba to get together so that they can also benefit from social cohesion projects for the stability of this area.