In the heart of the Greater Kivu region, scarred by decades of conflict, local communities and notables have come together to express a pressing demand: the merger of the Luanda peace process with the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement Monitoring Mechanism. This initiative aims to accelerate the restoration of peace in the eastern part of the country, a region that bears the scars of chronic violence and instability.
During a poignant meeting in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, Joseph Nkinzo, the president of this body, stressed the crucial importance of this merger to overcome the current slowness of diplomatic progress. According to him, bringing these two processes together in a single unified framework would allow for enhanced coordination, thus avoiding the pitfalls of multiple commitments and sometimes out-of-sync actions.
The communities of Greater Kivu have also advocated for a more meaningful inclusion of traditional authorities in these peace and agreement monitoring mechanisms. Their local expertise is considered a major asset in shedding light on specific issues, such as those related to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) or issues of irregular settlements of new populations.
In a show of firmness, representatives of local communities demanded the dismantling of the FDLR, a rebel group active in the region, as well as the complete withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese soil. These demands reflect the fierce desire to restore a climate of security and stability in a region long marked by violence and suffering.
Finally, local actors called on regional and international bodies to take coercive measures against the Kigali regime, accused of supporting armed groups operating in eastern DRC. This desire to see justice and accountability prevail underlines the urgency and determination of the communities of Greater Kivu to build a better future, based on peace and cooperation.
In short, the merger of ongoing peace processes and the increased involvement of local actors appear to be essential levers to pave the way for a sustainable resolution of conflicts in Greater Kivu. Let us hope that these calls will be heard and that concrete actions will be taken with the aim of building a future of peace and prosperity for this wounded region.