Article: The process of reintegration of ex-combatants in Beni started successfully
The Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS) recently organized a dialogue in Beni, in the province of North Kivu, with a view to facilitating the reintegration of ex-combatants of armed groups already confined in a few sites of the region. The objective of this initiative is to enable former combatants to reintegrate effectively into society after their demobilization.
During this dialogue, several leaders of armed groups, local authorities as well as civil society actors participated and were made aware of the importance of this reintegration process. They were also encouraged to welcome ex-combatants in a positive manner and to promote their integration into the community.
According to Omar Kavota, head of P-DDRCS branch in Beni, the funds necessary to support this process are already available thanks to the support of MONUSCO’s partner, the stabilization support unit: “The partner has mobilized funds to support coherence for stabilization, particularly for the reintegration of ex-combatants who will have completed the disarmament and demobilization process.
The interim head of MONUSCO office in the Far North of the North Kivu province also underlined the importance of this reintegration effort: “I ask the communities to welcome ex-combatants with open arms. This process is part legacies that MONUSCO will leave to the DRC”.
The representative of the local peace and development committees in the town of Beni, Brigitte Batapowa, welcomed this initiative: “We are relieved to see our children return to the community after their period of loss in armed groups. But we ask them to stay away from any harmful behavior they may have engaged in during their engagement.”
This community dialogue for the reintegration of ex-combatants benefited from the support of MONUSCO, which presents this initiative as a concrete legacy of its commitment in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Currently, the Mambango disarmament and demobilization site in Beni hosts around 150 combatants who have already started their demobilization process. With this reintegration initiative, these veterans will have the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to the development of their community.
In short, this approach to reintegrating ex-combatants in the Beni region demonstrates significant progress in the search for peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It will not only allow veterans to regain their place in society, but also to actively contribute to building a better future for all.