In Bunia, Ituri province, 40 young people received certificates on Friday, 8 May, after completing various technical and vocational training programmes organized by the Bangladeshi contingent of MONUSCO at Ndoromo camp. Over several weeks, these free training sessions in computer skills and generator maintenance enabled participants to acquire practical skills aimed at improving their employment opportunities in a province facing unemployment and security challenges.
The computer training brought together 27 young women to strengthen their digital skills, essential in today’s professional world. Thirteen young men, meanwhile, completed training in generator maintenance, a sector offering many opportunities in Bunia, where power cuts remain frequent.
The closing ceremony was attended by the MONUSCO North Sector Commander, Brigadier General Md Saiful Alam Bhuiyan, local authorities, and many residents who came to support the beneficiaries. Nearly 150 people attended the event held at Ndoromo camp.
A concrete response to the lack of opportunities
Faced with limited opportunities for many young people, these training programmes provide concrete prospects and help prevent the risks of violence and recruitment into armed groups.
For Jean-Bosco Uzele, Head of the Ituri Provincial Youth Division, the collaboration between local youth structures and the Bangladeshi contingent represents a real opportunity for the youth of Bunia.
“Our young people benefit here at Ndoromo camp from free training in several fields such as pastry-making, driving, heavy machinery operation, computer studies and other sectors. The Bangladeshi contingent is helping equip young people with skills so that they can become useful members of society, create their own jobs and stay away from armed groups,” he explained.
According to him, a mechanism for identifying beneficiaries was established with the Youth Parliament and the Provincial Youth Council in order to select the most vulnerable young people or those seeking opportunities.
The objective is to help young people cope with employment challenges that can sometimes push some towards violence or easy alternatives
Training tailored to local realities
Among the beneficiaries is Edgard, 43, who had been unemployed for several years. He chose to attend the generator maintenance training. Sitting among the other graduates with certificate in hand, he now hopes to turn this new skill into a source of income.
“I was informed about this free generator maintenance training. We learned both the mechanical and electrical aspects. Here in Bunia, because of electricity problems, many people use generators. There is a real demand for this service. I sincerely hope this training will help me find work or other opportunities,” he said.
For Nadine, a 22-year-old student at the University of Bunia, the computer training is also an important asset for her future. Pursuing studies in administration and management, she said the programme helped strengthen essential skills for the modern professional world.
“Thanks to this training, I learned to better understand how a computer works, install and uninstall software, and strengthen my basic computer skills. This will greatly help me in my studies and later in the field of administration, where computer skills are essential,” she explained enthusiastically.
Since the beginning of 2026, 230 young people, including 119 women, have already benefited from the Bangladeshi contingent’s civil-military initiatives in vocational training, education and community capacity-building. Through these activities, MONUSCO aims to provide more opportunities for young people, contribute to violence prevention and strengthen civilian protection by building trust with local communities.
Didier Vignon Dossou-Gbakon
