Kinshasa, 10 June 2013 - MONUSCO, the UN mission in the DR Congo, organized a workshop from 3 to 5 June 2013 in Kindu, Maniema province, in a bid to reconcile the Lweli and Makola communities from the cluster villages of Kinkalo (Pangi territory) and Mpande (Kailo territory). The two communities had been fighting for four years over land control.

Organized by the Civil Affairs section of MONUSCO, the workshop capped a series of outreach activities initiated since September 2012 by local experts to promote a process of reconciliation between the two communities in conflict.

The locality of Elundu, in Kibombo territory, 34 km from the town of Kindu, was selected by both sides in the conflict as a neutral venue for this meeting. The 40 participants included the sector chief of Wasongola, the chiefs of the two communities in conflict, two members of the provincial assembly representing the territories of Pangi and Kailo, members of their clans, representatives of religious groups, local youths and other civil society actors. Besides invited personalities, there were more than a hundred other people from neighboring localities in attendance.
The workshop was designed to serve as a vehicle for achieving reconciliation between the Lweli and Makola communities, following four years of tension.

Reconciliation has remained elusive since September 2010, when the dispute escalated into violent clashes resulting in the death of two members of the Makola community.

As a result of this meeting, however, members of both communities were finally able to sit together at the same table, share a meal, sign a peace agreement and set up a follow-up committee on their peace talks.

MONUSCO/Joseph Kamakumbi Amuri