Title: The successful transformation of ex-combatants into committed farmers: the inspiring example of Nyakunde
In a region marked by years of violence and conflict, a glimmer of hope has emerged in Nyakunde, 45 kilometers from Bunia, in the territory of Irumu (Ituri), in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Veterans of the Patriotic and Integrationist Force of Congo (FPIC) militia, alongside their families, recently achieved an admirable feat by producing no less than 60 tons of corn on 40 hectares of cultivated land.
This agricultural reintegration project, supported by MONUSCO, enabled seven hundred people, including ex-combatants, to devote themselves to a constructive and positive activity for six months. This significant transformation was welcomed by Ituri Governor, Lieutenant General Johny Luboya, who noted that the former stronghold of the FPIC militia, Chini ya Kilima, is now a symbol of agricultural progress.
Indeed, for these men and women formerly marked by violence and war, this experience of growing corn represents much more than a simple harvest. It is the fruit of a collective commitment to peace and reconciliation. Baraka Malali, an FPIC veteran converted into an agronomist supervising the project, expresses his satisfaction with this great initiative: “We are proud to see young people who were previously inactive find meaning in their lives. This project has proven to be crucial to meeting many needs, including the education of our children.”
This success story is not limited to corn production. It has also had positive effects on security and a reduction in violence in the region. According to the coordinator of the NGO Réseaux des associations pour le développement durable (RADD) in charge of the project, violent acts along the Bunia-Komanda axis have significantly reduced since the former militiamen engaged in this agricultural approach. .
In short, Nyakunde’s story demonstrates that even in the most complex and conflicting contexts, reconciliation and reconstruction are possible. Ex-combatants have shown that they can once again become positive actors in society, thus helping to build a better future for themselves and their community. This transformation is an inspiring example that, despite the trials of the past, hope always remains for those who choose to reach out toward a more promising future.