Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission in Ituri: an initiative to combat hatred and conflict
The Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations in charge of peacekeeping in the Great Lakes, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, proposed during his visit to Bunia, in Ituri, the establishment of a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation for the victims of wars and atrocities in this province. This commission, which will be set up jointly by the Congolese government and the United Nations, aims to fight against conflicts, hatred and community resentment. It will allow the identification and diagnosis of internal problems to resolve the security problem in Ituri and demand justice for the victims of atrocities.
The Secretary General also exchanged with the Military Governor, Jonny Luboya N’kashama, on the security and humanitarian situation in the province. He then visited the site for displaced people in Djange, located in Drodro, about 65 km north of the town of Bunia.
The proposed commission must begin with the restoration of state authority throughout the province to enable effective intervention against the violence and atrocities perpetuated against the populations. This initiative follows the efforts for reconciliation in favor of peace and stability in the region.
This “Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation” commission, which has helped to find a solution to conflicts in other countries such as South Africa, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, or even Bosnia-Herzegovina, can play a key role in establishment of peace and justice in Ituri.
This initiative represents a ray of hope for the populations victims of the atrocities in the province of Ituri