Bunia, 3rd 2017: The provincial Governor of Ituri officially launched a stabilization project named “Ensemble pour la Paix” at Irumu-centre in the territory of Irumu on 2nd August.

It is amid festive mood that on Wednesday at lrumu-Centre located at about 70 Km in the South-west of the city of Bunia that leaders of the territory of Irumu, a delegation made up of political and administrative officials as well as defense and security elements and a high-profile UN team led by MONUCO’s interim chief participated in the launch ceremony, accompanied by local population estimated roughly at 800 people.

In Swahili “Pamoja Kwa Amani,” the project is aimed to reduce inter-communal tensions in the South Irumu through addressing the root causes of the conflicts and inclusive democratic dialogue. It is also aimed to improve land governance, to reinforce transparency in the exploitation and management of the mineral resources, to build local leaders’ capacities in the sectorial services, to enhance security services, to increase social cohesion and to reduce sex and gender-based violence.

The local leaders in the territory of Irumu have high expectations of the project. They want to see the package allocated for the project is actually invested in the different programs and benefit the population. The provincial Governor who chaired the ceremony urged the community leaders as well as youth associations to participate in the sensitization campaign to bring FRPI elements to lay down weapons.

The project will be implemented in 7 chieftainships in the territory of Irumu (Walendu Bindi, Bahema Boga, Bahema Mitego, Banyali Tshabi, Bahema Sud, Andisoma and Walese Vonkutu) by a consortium made up of UN Habitat, Search for Common Ground, Mercy Corps, OIM, COOPI, ACIAR and CARITAS. The total number of recipients is estimated at 252 772 including 27% girls, 24,5% boys, 25,5% women and 23% men.

The budget for the two-year stabilization program for Ituri is worth US$ 6,5 million ; it is funded by Fonds de cohérence de la stabilization and coordinated by the International Security and Stabilization Support ISSSS technical secretariat which includes MONUSCO’s Stabilization Support Unit SSU and its local counterpart STAREC (Stabilization and Reconstruction Plans for the post conflict zones. The budget will be contributed by the Kingdom of Norway, the Netherlands, Great Britain and the UN Peace Consolidation Program.

Laurent Sam OUSSOU