On 29 and 30 January in Beni, the provisional capital of North Kivu, MONUSCO organized a workshop aimed at strengthening the engagement of civil society, local authorities and parliamentarians in supporting peace processes. Over two days, participants from the Beni, Butembo and Lubero areas were equipped to better understand the dynamics of international initiatives launched to restore peace in the eastern part of the country, notably those of Washington, Doha, Luanda and Nairobi, as well as issues related to disinformation and the protection of civilians.
Among the approximately sixty participants were traditional leaders, parliamentarians, women leaders and youth representatives. They received training on peace processes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and on the MONUSCO mandate, in particular through Security Council resolution 2808.
The workshop also prepared the implementation of 20 community forums in the Beni, Butembo and Lubero areas, aimed at raising awareness among more than 1,000 local leaders on peace, social cohesion and the fight against hate speech.
Participants expressed their satisfaction and emphasized the importance of the workshop in strengthening their role in peace consolidation. They also committed to supporting all ongoing peace processes in order to contribute to the sustainable restoration of peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Understanding in order to act better
Dr. Joselyne Kahambu, a member of a coalition of women’s associations in Lubero Territory, considered the organization of such meetings to be useful. “Agreements are being signed here and there. As Congolese men and women, we must understand these agreements and support our Government, because they are what will contribute tomorrow to the restoration of peace in our country,” she explained.
The Vice-Governor of North Kivu also stressed the importance for all stakeholders to understand the meaning of peace initiatives. “Our society remains fragile and faces many challenges, especially at a time when peace is indispensable. The act of commitment that has been signed must be more than just a document; it must serve as a roadmap guiding everyone’s attitudes towards a better future,” said Divisional Commissioner Jean Louis Karawa.
From the organizers’ perspective, the workshop enabled local actors to better understand peace processes, improve their coordination with the authorities and strengthen their role in the protection of civilians and the fight against disinformation.
For MONUSCO, the objective is to consolidate peace and stability in the northern part of North Kivu by mobilizing civil society, women, youth and community leaders around concrete actions in support of sustainable peace.
-Martial Mukeba Wa Mukeba
