Kimpese, in the province of Kongo Central, was recently the site of an important visit by the delegation of Fonarev (National Fund for Reparation of Victims of Sexual Violence Related to Conflicts and Other Crimes Against the Peace and Security of Humanity ). This visit is part of a long itinerary by the delegation across the country, going from Ituri to North and South Kivu, via central Kasai.
The objective of this visit was to listen to the testimonies of victims of the political-religious movement Bundu dia Kongo, who were the victims of violence between 2007 and 2009 in several towns of Kongo Central. This initiative, supported by the First Lady of the Republic, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, marks a first in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where victims in five pilot provinces will be able to benefit from complete reparation thanks to Fonarev.
Fonarev, led by Lucien Lundula,’s mission is to help victims access justice, reparation, empowerment and community recovery. It is part of transitional justice in the DRC and is responsible for the holistic care of victims of crimes and abuses committed since 1993.
During this visit to Kimpese, the Fonarev delegation listened to the expectations and needs of the various stakeholders with a view to harmonizing the first collective reparations for victims. These first repairs will include material, monetary, physical, socio-economic and medical measures.
At the same time, the provincial “Truth, Justice and Reconciliation” Commission also expressed its determination to investigate abuses and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and to facilitate reconciliation and guarantees of non-repetition.
Following this visit, Fonarev plans to organize a workshop in the coming weeks with the authorities, victims’ associations and commissioners of the provincial “Truth, Justice and Reconciliation” Commission in order to discuss the modalities of the first reparations.
This visit by the Fonarev delegation to Kimpese made it possible to collect the poignant testimonies of the victims and to understand the needs and expectations of the population. This initiative marks a significant step forward in the search for justice and reparation for victims of violence in the DRC, and demonstrates the commitment of the government and local actors to work together to overcome past trauma.
The reparations process has only just begun, but it brings hope for victims who have long waited for justice and reparation. Fonarev will continue its work to ensure access to justice and provide full reparation to victims, with the aim of promoting individual and collective healing and preventing the recurrence of these heinous crimes..
In conclusion, Fonarev’s visit to Kimpese was an important step towards reparation for victims of violence in the Kongo Central region. This initiative demonstrates the Congolese government’s commitment to fighting impunity and ensuring that victims obtain justice and reparation. The road to recovery is long, but with concerted efforts and strong political will, it is possible to build a better future for all Congolese.