Fatshimetrie, the engaged and informative news channel, recently covered the milestone event of the launch of symbolic pay for victims of the six-day war in Kisangani. This initiative, led by the National Coordination of the Special Fund for Reparation and Compensation for Victims of Illicit Activities in Uganda (FRIVAO), was welcomed by the presence of provincial authorities during the ceremony which took place at the Bolonge space in the commune of Makiso.
Abbot François Mwarabu Ngalema, the national coordinator of FRIVAO, underlined the importance of this step, with the identification of 4,131 victims retained for the payment of compensation according to the criteria established by the International Court of Justice. Each victim is called to go to the Raw Bank to receive a lump sum, a sign of recognition and symbolic reparation for the suffering endured.
However, behind this positive progress also lie challenges. Bank staff were confronted with pressure, threats and misunderstandings from beneficiaries, highlighting the need for attentive and respectful management of these delicate situations.
The victims of the six-day war are grouped into different categories, ranging from the deceased to those who suffered material damage, including rape victims, child soldiers and displaced people. Each of them embodies a story of suffering and loss, demanding justice and reparation.
The establishment of a memorial at the Six Day War cemetery and the construction of an orthopedics center are concrete actions aimed at honoring the memory of the victims and providing essential medical support.
At the same time, a five-year reparations plan, supervised by the Ministry of Justice and the International Court of Justice, provides for annual payments to the Congolese government to compensate for the damage caused by this painful chapter in history. This program will also extend to other provinces impacted by the illicit activities of foreign armies.
Through these initiatives, the FRIVAO National Coordination demonstrates a laudable desire to recognize and compensate victims, while seeking to build a more just and united future for all.
Fatshimetrie will continue to closely monitor the development of these actions and highlight the voices of victims, in a commitment to truth and reconciliation.