### Launch of the new cycle of the United Nations Peace Consolidation Fund (PBF) in Kinshasa: a turning point for the Democratic Republic of Congo?
On June 5, 2025, Kinshasa witnessed a flagship moment in international cooperation in terms of peace and development. The Ministry of the Planning, under the aegis of its Minister Guylain Nyembo, launched a new cycle of the United Nations Peace Consolidation Fund (PBF) covering the period 2025-2029. This program, which is part of a complex socio-political context, aspires to strengthen the mechanisms related to governance and prevention of conflicts, while supporting vulnerable communities.
#### A program focused on crucial issues
This fourth cycle of the PBF is based on three essential priorities. On the one hand, it aims to improve the governance and coherence of peace initiatives. On the other hand, it endeavors to treat the deep causes of conflicts, especially those related to natural and land resources. Finally, it sets itself the objective of the protection of civilians and the promotion of human rights. This framework aims not only to restore peace, but also to pave the way for sustainable development, as Minister Nyembo pointed out.
These priorities are of great importance in a country where armed conflicts have left populations living in extreme precarious conditions. The management of natural resources, in particular, raises challenges of social justice and equity that deserve to be carefully considered. How can different stakeholders collaborate to ensure a fair and lasting exploitation of these resources?
#### A call to dialogue and local engagement
The Minister of the Plan also spoke of the importance of anchoring this project locally by identifying priority needs during the first session of the joint steering committee. This approach includes an effort to assess the projects previously funded by the PBF in the provinces of Tanganyika, Kasai, Kasai Central and South Kivu. Such an evaluation is crucial to understand what has worked well and where the gaps are. It would be beneficial to ask: what lessons learned from past experiences can really guide future peace initiatives?
#### The question of monusco and current transitions
The announcement of PBF actions also intervenes in a context where Monusco, UN mission in stabilization business, provides for a progressive withdrawal. This change poses an essential question: how to ensure the continuity of peace and security efforts when foreign actors, like Monusco, are starting to withdraw? The risk of a power vacuum could accentuate insecure and existing tensions. It would be relevant to reflect on the mechanisms that could be put in place to guarantee effective transfer of responsibilities to local institutions.
#### An opportunity for collective action
The launch of the PBF can also be perceived as an opportunity to bring together the various stakeholders – government, non -governmental organizations, local communities and international partners – around a common goal: peace and sustainable development. To establish a true culture of peace, it is imperative to initiate an inclusive dialogue which recognizes and respects the diversity of voices and opinions.
International peace efforts should not only be seen through the prism of financial aid. They also require sincere commitments of collaboration and mutual respect. The challenge is to allow Congolese populations to actively participate in the construction of their own future.
#### In conclusion: a path strewn with pitfalls but rich in opportunities
If the launch of the new PBF cycle is an important step towards consolidation of peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we must not lose sight of the challenges that remain to be met. The path to lasting peace is often strewn with pitfalls, requiring a delicate and nuanced approach.
The future of the DRC and the success of this program is based on the sincerity of the commitment of political actors and the capacity of communities to invest in their own stability. It is on this condition that the promises of a better tomorrow can be held. Questions of governance, social justice and human rights require special attention to transform this initiative into a real lever for change. How can we, as a global society, support these efforts while respecting the aspirations of the Congolese? It is a question that deserves in -depth reflection.