The departure of Tommy Tambwe from the head of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS) is news that delights the socio-political layers of Ituri. Indeed, his presence in coordinating the program had sparked numerous criticisms, notably from the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr Mukwege.
This appointment was hotly contested because it appeared to reward individuals involved in crimes, instead of bringing them to justice. Local armed groups had also expressed their disavowal towards Tambwe during the Nairobi peace consultations in December 2022. Despite this, Tambwe continued to occupy his position until the President of the Republic finally decided to replace him with Jean Bosco Bahala.
This change at the head of the P-DDRCS is seen as good news for the active forces of Ituri, who consider this program as essential for the province. Expectations for the new team are high, with the hope that significant improvements will be made. Some even mention the need to replace the entire Ituri team.
However, voices are also being raised to demand the release of Willy Abibu, provincial coordinator of P-DDRCS in Ituri, currently in preventive detention for alleged embezzlement. This case highlights the challenges the program faces, particularly in terms of transparency and resource management.
It is important to emphasize that the P-DDRCS aims to promote peaceful cohabitation of populations and sustainable development in the Ituri region, which is regularly confronted with the presence of local armed groups. However, ongoing concerns over non-payment of program agents and Tambwe’s past ties to armed groups raise questions about its effectiveness and real impact on the ground.
In conclusion, the replacement of Tommy Tambwe at the head of P-DDRCS is an important step for Ituri. This may help build confidence in the program and bring about significant improvements in its implementation. However, many challenges remain to ensure the success of the program and promote stability in the Ituri region.