Effervescence still reigns in the east of the DRC, particularly in the Ituri region, where tensions between the Hema and Lendu communities persist, despite a few years of relative calm after decades of conflict. These old antagonisms, revived in 2017, have plunged the region into a cycle of uncontrolled violence.
However, at the heart of this turmoil, a neighborhood in Bunia, called Bankoko, embodies peaceful cohabitation between different ethnic groups. Here, Hema, Lendu, Alur, Bira and many other communities meet around a pool table, a symbol of living together. Local youth, represented by figures such as Jérémy and Gloire Abasi, are showing the way to unity and tolerance.
Bankoko, which means “the elders” in Lingala, has always been a place of diversity and intercommunity meetings. Even as tensions persist in other neighborhoods of Bunia, where past conflicts continue to divide residents, Bankoko remains a haven of peace where differences are accepted and celebrated.
This district, formerly intended for retired military personnel, today houses senior civil servants and is renowned for its tranquility and security. However, recent violence in surrounding territories is a reminder that peace remains fragile and requires constant vigilance.
The recent peace agreement signed by the main armed groups last April has led to a reduction in violence, but challenges persist, particularly in mining areas where economic interests are exacerbating tensions. Young people, like François Kasereka, intercommunity coordinator, play a crucial role in consolidating peace and promoting dialogue.
Despite the challenges it faces, the Bankoko community embodies the hope for a peaceful future for Ituri. The exchanges and interactions between different communities testify to the richness of diversity and the capacity of individuals to overcome ethnic divisions to build a common future together.
Ultimately, Bankoko symbolizes the resilience and solidarity of a population determined to turn the page on past violence to build a better future, based on peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.