Goma – 21 September 2016: MONUSCO Civil Affairs Section in collaboration with the North Kivu Provincial Ministry of Interior  through its  Support Unit for Pacification and the Catholic diocesan youth center in  Goma have  organized  2 days of activities  on a social dialogue which began on 20th of September  and culminated in the  Commemoration of  the UN Peace day 21 September  2016 in  Kibirizi  situated about 165 Km north of Goma in Rutshuru territory of North Kivu.

Over 200 youth drown from  civil society associations, inter-community leaders of Nande, Hutu, Tutsi and Hunde and local authorities in  Bwito chiefdom  in Rutshuru territory which  are mostly affected by/prone to inter- ethnic conflicts in the province.

Activities began with a workshop on the sensitization of the youth on peaceful cohabitation, reconciliation and dialogue through information and debates animated by the provincial   coordination support unit for pacification, the Catholic diocesan Youth center and the Martin Luther King association.

Speaking during the opening of the workshop, the Assistant Territorial Administrator for Rutshuru, Madame Liberata Buratva told the youth to bury the hatchet and work towards the peaceful coexistence and the development of their chiefdom, the province and the country as a whole.

She advised them not to be manipulated by any spoilers or get recruited into negative armed groups who do not have their interests at heart. As youth, she added that they are the future leaders and need to work hand in glove for peace.

Other speakers included Abbey  Alberto Wilvin Rodriguez responsible for the Catholic Diocesan Youth Center, the  Coordinator of the Provincial  Support Unit  for  Pacification and the Director of the Group Martin Luther King Association who spoke on the impact of non- violence on peaceful cohabitation and development  and more in North Kivu.

The workshop participants later worked in 10 groups in which they examined the root causes of the conflicts and came up with proposals on ways and means to find solutions to these conflicts.

The last day of activities which was 21 September, 2016 was celebrated with pump and color beginning with a Caravan on Peace, traditional dances from all the ethnic groups, a song on Peace by a female artist Angel Kate titled “AMANI” and a friendly football composed of a representation of all the groups.

It should be noted that this is the first time in the history of the Bwito chiefdom that the youth are meeting to discuss on their peaceful co -existence and pacification thanks to MONUSCOs facilitation through the civil Affairs Section in Goma

Martha Biongo /PIO in Goma