In September 2024, during his address to the United Nations Security Council, Ambassador Zénon Mukongo highlighted the commitment of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS). This program, at the heart of the Congolese national strategy to disarm and reintegrate combatants, aims to provide sustainable economic prospects while stabilizing areas affected by conflict.
The Permanent Representative of the DRC stressed the importance of this program to establish peace in his country. He also called for close cooperation with neighboring countries for the repatriation of their combatants present in the DRC, a source of instability in the eastern region of the country.
Ambassador Zénon Mukongo welcomed the initiative of the group of DDR friends who will meet soon to discuss the situation in the DRC and called on the Security Council to be firmer towards countries hosting foreign fighters on Congolese soil.
It is crucial for the DRC to benefit from the support of its international partners for the effective implementation of the P-DDRCS. This program combines disarmament, demobilization, community recovery and stabilization, and constitutes an essential lever for the protection of civilians and the establishment of lasting peace in the country.
The merger of the DDR program with that of Stabilization and Reconstruction of post-conflict zones gives rise to the DDRCS program, aimed at the successful reintegration of demobilized fighters into civilian activities. However, despite its implementation, the program encounters operational difficulties that hamper its effectiveness.
It is essential that the Congolese government, supported by MONUSCO, continue its efforts to advance the process of disarmament and reintegration of demobilized fighters. Areas such as Ituri, where progress has been made in terms of reconciliation, can serve as a model for the deployment of the program in other regions plagued by armed conflict.
In conclusion, the DDRCS program remains an essential pillar for the construction of sustainable peace in the DRC. It is up to the Congolese authorities and their international partners to work together to ensure the success of this program, which is crucial for the stability of the region.