Declaration finale du forum sur la PAIX dans le territorire de NYUNZU

Country/entity
Democratic Republic of Congo
Region
Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name
Declaration finale du forum sur la PAIX dans le territorire de NYUNZU
Date
10 Dec 2015
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Intrastate/local conflict
Stage
Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature
Inter-group
Peace process
DRC: local agreements (East)
Parties
Communities and villages in the territory of Nyunzu, Mbota and Lute people
Third parties
Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission (CDJP) of Kalemie-Kirungu
UN force: MONUSCO
Description
-

Local agreement properties

Process type
Formal structured process
Rationale
The peace forum during which this agreement was signed was organised by Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission (CDJP) of Kalemie-Kirungu with financial support from a 'Pooled Fund' (p. 1), and facilitation support from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The CDJP was involved in an earlier meeting between Pygmy and Bantu leaders in Tanganyika Province in October 2015 that similarly led to the signing of a peace agreement, suggesting that this is not an isolated example.
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
No
Link to national process: articulated rationale
Neither the agreement text nor limited background research suggests a link to the national-level peace process.
Name of Locale
Nyunzu territory
Nature of Locale
Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD)
-5.958318, 28.015044
Participant type
International or transnational actor
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
Mediator, facilitator or similar
Mediator or similar referred to
Mediator (references)
Facilitators: Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission (CDJP) of Kalemie-Kirungu; United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) Moderator: Mr Gautier MISONIA of MONUSCO / Civil Affairs
Type of mediator/facilitator/similar
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder International or transnational actor

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)

No specific mention.

Grievance List
Pages 1-2, We denounce:
- the existence of an evil influence encouraging communities to fight each other and inciting conflicts that have led to loss of lives, displacement of people and populations, as well as material damage;
- the corruption of the Mbote people by FDLR’s presence in the Nyunzu territory, encouraging them to oppose the Bantu;
- the tendency of the Luba people to control and discriminate against the Mbote people, in doing so creating tension
- the exploitation of the Mbote people by the Luba people for their work in the fields, with compensation not proportional to the work done;
- the inflation of customary surcharge;
- bias in the judgment of officials who most often condemn the Mbote people;
- the unequal sharing of spoils of war or hunting during the war with the Bakata-Katanga, and the failure to fulfil the promises made to the Mbote for the end of the war;
- the lack of recognition of the Mbote people’s customary power;
- the lack of schooling for Mbote people, despite primary education being almost free in the territory.
All the above resulted in:
- loss of life;
- movement/displacement of people and populations in the territory;
- significant material damages;
- indescribable poverty that strikes everyone without exception;
- food scarcity and the use of NGO aid;
- lack of education for children;
- unemployment;
- stress;
- trauma;
- a culture of hate;
- epidemics;
- enrolment of children in the ranks of malicious forces;
- impunity and injustice:
- mob justice, rape, violence, looting;
- a presence of non-accompanied children:
- a high rate of widows and widowers;
- ethnic discrimination.
Cattle rustling/banditry

No specific mention.

Social cover

No specific mention.

Final Statement of the NYUNZU Territory Peace Forum

We, participants in the Peace Forum held in St. Andre's Parish in Nyunzu, from the 8th to the 10th of December 2015, from all communities and villages of the territory of Nyunzu, would like to thank the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission (CDJP) of Kalemie-Kirungu, the organizer of this forum with the financial support of Pooled Fund, as well as the technical and logistical support of MONUSCO;

Following the teachings on Peaceful Coexistence of Mr Luc LUTALA, and on Peace and Natural Resources given by Mr Thierry NZENG, under the moderation of Mr Gautier MISONIA of Monusco / Civil Affairs, and after performing a thorough analysis of the causes and consequences of conflicts between Bantu and Pygmy people in our territory;

We make this statement public:

We denounce:

-the existence of an evil influence encouraging communities to fight each other and inciting conflicts that have led to loss of lives, displacement of people and populations, as well as material damage;

- the corruption of the Mbote people by FDLR’s presence in the Nyunzu territory, encouraging them to oppose the Bantu;

- the tendency of the Luba people to control and discriminate against the Mbote people, in doing so creating tension

- the exploitation of the Mbote people by the Luba people for their work in the fields, with compensation not proportional to the work done;

- the inflation of customary surcharge;

- bias in the judgment of officials who most often condemn the Mbote people;

- the unequal sharing of spoils of war or hunting during the war with the Bakata-Katanga, and the failure to fulfil the promises made to the Mbote for the end of the war;

- the lack of recognition of the Mbote people’s customary power;

- the lack of schooling for Mbote people, despite primary education being almost free in the territory.

All the above resulted in:

- loss of life;

-movement/displacement of people and populations in the territory;

- significant material damages;

- indescribable poverty that strikes everyone without exception;

- food scarcity and the use of NGO aid;

- lack of education for children;

- unemployment;

- stress;

- trauma;

- a culture of hate;

- epidemics;

- enrolment of children in the ranks of malicious forces;

- impunity and injustice:

- mob justice, rape, violence, looting;

- a presence of non-accompanied children:

- a high rate of widows and widowers;

- ethnic discrimination.

Therefore, we advise:

- That community awareness sessions on peaceful coexistence be continued;

- That the local authorities get involved in restoring peace in the Nyunzu territory;

- That the Bantu and Pygmy people live together and that they are all involved in the promotion of mixed marriages;

- That the Mbote people be integrated in all aspects of community life in the territory of Nyunzu;

- That security agents (police and military) be deployed in all problem areas in Nyunzu territory;

- That dialogue be encouraged between the communities, but that the leaders of conflicts be brought to justice and judges:

- That fair and official royalties be paid to officials, who in turn should invest in the development of their territories;

- That the schooling of Bantu and Pygmy children be mixed and compulsory for all;

We commit ourselves:

- To continue to encourage the peaceful coexistence of communities and to consolidate the achievements of this forum through the Committee of wise men set up within, whose mission is to ensure the enactment of the follow-up of the recommendations for the Peace of Nyunzu;

- To support the fight against impunity and to denounce all acts of corruption;

- To produce and implement a community development agenda on the actions to be taken to promote the agro-pastoral economy, as well as the development of community fields through the creation of agricultural cooperatives;

- To set up permanent mediation and reconciliation structures for peace and development at all levels;

- To promote social activities at all levels (sports, religious, cultural, customs, etc.);

- to promote children’s education by insisting on free primary education;

- to strengthen the safety of people and their property.

We recommend:

a) That the Political and administrative authorities:

- strengthen the power of officials;

- work to strengthen the security of the Nyunzu territory;

- invest in the rehabilitation of infrastructure (roads, schools, hospitals) in the Nyunzu territory;

b) That local communities:

- promote and reward peaceful cohabitation (living together, working together, building together);

- engage in local development initiatives;

c) That the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission (CDJP) of Kalemie-Kirungu:

- Organise regular training courses in the various communities and villages of the territory, with the aim of consolidating peace;

- Aid the peace Forum committee in their activities;

d) That MONUSCO:

- Work jointly with the Government to consolidate peace and restore the State’s authority in our territory and throughout the whole of the Republic;

- To continue the efforts to eradicate of armed groups, especially the FDLR, in our territory of Nyunzu and throughout the province of Tanganyika.

This was signed in Nyunzu, on December 10, 2015

The participants

Thank you.