In recent months, a wind of calm seems to be blowing over Ituri province, offering a welcome respite to its inhabitants. The local civil society coordination recently reported a notable decrease in attacks perpetrated by armed militias operating in the region. Indeed, no aggression has been reported in the territories of Irumu, Djugu, Mahagi and Mambasa over the past three months, which constitutes a glimmer of hope for the local populations.
According to various concordant sources, this lull is the result of community dialogues that have resulted in concrete commitments to cease hostilities. The joint efforts of the Government, MONUSCO, community leaders and civic structures have helped to raise awareness among militiamen of the need to prioritize peaceful activities. Thus, many combatants have opted for resilience activities such as agriculture, mining or manual cantonment, preferring to devote themselves to legitimate means of subsistence.
Flory Kitoko, the interim coordinator of the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Community Reintegration and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS) in Ituri, testifies to this new dynamic: “The militiamen have weapons, but now choose to put them aside to devote themselves to more productive activities. This development is encouraging because it contributes to restoring a semblance of normality in the region.”
Despite these encouraging advances, civil society in Ituri remains vigilant in the face of possible abuses committed by a few isolated militiamen, including cases of extortion of goods on the roads. However, Dieudonné Lossa, the coordinator of this citizen structure, remains optimistic about the possibility of consolidating peace in the region: “If we manage to disarm these armed groups effectively, we could establish solid foundations for a peaceful and prosperous future.”
It is essential that the Government intensify its efforts to recover weapons illegally held by militias, in order to ensure lasting peace and prevent any resurgence of violence. The growing awareness among militiamen of the importance of peace and economic development is a significant step towards building a more just and balanced society in Ituri. By encouraging these resilience and reconciliation efforts, it is possible to envisage a brighter future for this region once ravaged by armed conflict.