Title: Ex-combatants awaiting community reintegration are causing trouble in North Kivu
In North Kivu, in the Lubero region, more than ninety disarmed and demobilized ex-combatants recently protested against the delay in their community reintegration. Their discontent resulted in acts of vandalism at the Kasando disarmament and demobilization site. This worrying situation has highlighted the difficulties encountered by these veterans who have been waiting for more than a year to be reintegrated into society.
The head of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS) branch in the region, Éric Katembo Masinda, reported that these ex-combatants expressed their frustration by ransacking the program’s administrative office. They acted in response to a change in the situation, following a contradictory decision from the hierarchy concerning their return to their area of origin.
Following the announcement of the imminent resumption of their reintegration, the ex-combatants were taken by surprise by a suspension order from the hierarchy. This uncertainty about their future provoked their anger and dismay, pushing them to act radically.
Local authorities and the provincial coordinator of P-DDRCS, Clovis Muhinire, are trying to reassure these ex-combatants about the acceleration of the community reintegration process. However, this will depend on the prior assessment of the security situation in the areas to which they must return. A necessary measure to guarantee their security and successful integration into society.
This situation highlights the challenges faced by demobilized ex-combatants and highlights the importance of careful monitoring and effective coordination to ensure their successful reintegration into the community. The need to prioritize their community reintegration and provide adequate support in terms of professional training and post-demobilization monitoring is more crucial than ever to prevent possible returns to armed violence.