Fatshimetrie, September 2024 – The western part of the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to face a persistent crisis due to the Mobondo phenomenon. This situation led to a crucial meeting held at the Nganda Center in Kinshasa from September 23 to 26, 2024. The objective of this retreat was to adopt a cohesive approach to effectively address the crises in Kwamouth and other affected regions such as Grand Bandundu, Kongo Central and Kinshasa.
Organized by the Ministry of the Interior, Security, Decentralization and Customary Affairs, under the high patronage of the President of the Republic, this meeting benefited from the educational support of the Initiative for Cohesive Leadership (ILC), in partnership with UNICEF. It brought together 67 participants, including group leaders, land chiefs, village chiefs, community notables, representatives of civil society and Mobondo leaders.
The main objective of this meeting was to consolidate the progress of the Peace Forum, organized five months previously, while addressing in a concrete way the local conflicts that negatively impact the lives of the populations concerned, notably through the “Kwamouth Crisis”.
During this meeting, the participants exchanged with Rigobert Luhinzo, Conflict Resolution Expert, under the moderation of Marcel Ngombo Mbala. In-depth discussions took place, highlighting the challenges and possible solutions to overcome this complex crisis.
In another context, the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day, celebrated on October 10, highlights the need to prioritize mental health at work. With 15% of working-age adults suffering from mental disorders in 2019, and millions of working days lost each year due to depression and anxiety, it is crucial to raise awareness on this issue.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, protecting the mental health of workers is a major issue. Many employees work in stressful work environments that can have a negative impact on their mental well-being. It is therefore essential for employers to put in place prevention, information and support measures to preserve the mental health of their employees.
The celebration of World Mental Health Day every October 10 is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of this issue and to encourage actions aimed at promoting a healthy and balanced work environment for all.
In short, the fight against the Mobondo crisis in the DRC and the promotion of mental health at work are two major challenges facing Congolese society. By taking a collaborative approach and putting in place the right policies and practices, it is possible to build a more stable and prosperous future for all citizens of this country.