The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been the scene of a process of disarmament of armed groups for several months now. Many fighters have surrendered to the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), and the latest concerns 12 Mai-Mai militiamen. These were handed over to the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program on June 5 in Beni, North Kivu.
According to Captain Anthony Mwalushayi, these fighters had come from different armed groups and had committed abuses against the civilian population. They were armed with three Ak-47 weapons. This official handover to the competent authorities marks a step forward in the disarmament process in the DRC.
Captain Anthony Mwalushayi took the opportunity to encourage militiamen still struggling to surrender to help build peace.
The handover ceremony of the militiamen took place in the presence of several soldiers and civilians, as well as representations of the United Nations.
This disarmament process is a major challenge for the stabilization of the DRC, which has seen its daily life marked by the violence of armed groups for several decades. The active participation of armed actors in the construction of peace is a key element of this stabilization, but it is important to remember that this is only the first step in a long march towards a peaceful and democratic society. The need for transitional justice for victims of armed conflict is another fundamental issue for peace in the DRC.
These efforts are all the more important as the country heads towards the December 2023 elections, which represent a key moment for the political transition in the DRC. Political actors and civil society must work together to ensure a peaceful and democratic transition, avoiding the tensions and violence that marked previous elections