The province of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of Congo hosted an “Intercommunity Youth Dialogue for Peacebuilding” from June 20 to June 22, 2023. The objective of this event was to mobilize the young people of the province in the peace process and sensitize them to the importance of their adherence to the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS).
Young people from all communities have come together to share and validate the priorities for peace and peaceful coexistence, but despite the many steps already taken, the province continues to suffer from generalized insecurity. Many young people are forcibly enrolled in armed groups, under the pretext of defending the interests of their community, and the province has even been placed under a state of siege.
Local, national and international organizations, including provincial deputies, collaborated to organize this event, which the provincial government supported. Despite this, many experts fear that the commitments and recommendations made during these meetings continue to remain a dead letter on the ground.
However, more than 140 young people signed at the end of the event an act of commitment for the peace process in Ituri, in which they pledged to fight against communitarianism, to promote peaceful coexistence, and to involved in the P-DDRCS. These young people also lit candles to symbolize their commitment to peace.
The support for peace and peaceful cohabitation encouraged by these young people is not only important for the security of the province but also key to the development of Ituri province.