The affair of the dismissal of Father Jean-Bosco Bahala from his position as national coordinator of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS) by the President of the Republic Felix Tshisekedi created a shock wave in within Congolese public opinion. This decision with multiple ramifications not only caused a lot of ink to be spilled, but it also raised many questions as to the underlying reasons for this sudden revocation.
On the one hand, Father Jean-Bosco Bahala claims to be on a mission to Kampala, Uganda, for discussions aimed at the repatriation of Congolese children released by LRA rebels in the Central African Republic. This mission, which he justifies as being within the framework of DDRRR, was presented as an attempt on the part of the national coordinator to get involved in a crucial process for the stability and reintegration of ex-combatants into Congolese society.
However, persistent rumors circulated about an alleged meeting between a delegation from the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a rebellion led by Corneille Nangaa, former president of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and a delegation from the P-DDRCS in Kampala. These allegations were quickly denied by the Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya, who affirmed that no person had been mandated by the government to initiate discussions with members of the M23 in Kampala.
This case raises crucial questions regarding the transparency and coherence of actions carried out within the framework of disarmament, demobilization and community recovery in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The need to guarantee effective and virtuous governance in these delicate processes is more obvious than ever, in order to avoid any confusion and maintain citizens’ trust in the authorities in place.
It is imperative that light be shed on the exact circumstances of the dismissal of Father Jean-Bosco Bahala and that corrective measures be taken, if necessary, to ensure that the objectives of the DDRCS Program are achieved in a transparent and timely manner. compliance with current ethical and legal standards. The future of these stabilization and reintegration programs for ex-combatants depends on the trust and commitment of the actors involved, and it is therefore essential to ensure that they act in an irreproachable and responsible manner.