In the Democratic Republic of Congo, while arms continue to speak on the high and medium-sized plateaus of Fizi, Uvira and Mwenga in the province of South Kivu, a dialogue began on Monday, March 29, in Kinshasa between the conflict communities, Babembe, Babuyi, Bafuliru, Banyamulenge, Banyindu, Barundi and Bavira.
This work, which was hosted by the head of President Felix Tshisekedi’s civilian house, is led by the central government in collaboration with NGO Interpeace, which specializes in conflict resolution.
Several attempts have already been made for dialogue in southern Kivu to try to put an end to the conflicts in the highlands. For this new test, Modeste Bahati Lukwebo, President of the Senate and of the Province of South Kivu, demands more sincerity.
“We have never been sincere in what we do. Each of the societies has its own calculations and wants to draw the sheet on the page, he insists. Everyone is guilty. There is no need to develop more theories. Of course, you have to tell the truth face to face, no hypocrisy. ”
Almost all societies are accused by the security forces of maintaining at least one armed group. Conflicts linked to land are indeed real, but for Enock Sebineza, a delegate from Banyamulenge, the most urgent solution is through military operations.
“We came to Kinshasa to break the political will to let the security forces do what they are supposed to do,” he said. First, we must eradicate the armed groups that smoke out Banyamulenge. All the government needs to do is stop the threats against Banyamulenge. Everything that is considered an armed group of Banyamulege can cease on its own. ”
“Cultural identity theft”
For Bafuliro who they are fighting with in the highlands, Banyamulenge should give up some of their demands.
“Those who call themselves Banyamulenge must be able to leave [abandonner]This name is at the heart of the problem, said Kimweta Kangeta, Bafuliro’s representative at this meeting. There is cultural identity theft through this name. Mulenge is one of the localities of our Bafuliro chief. When they adopt that name, in other words, they want to plunder our customary lands, the lands of our ancestors. We know they are Congolese. At the beginning of the law, it was not us who had established it. ”
President Felix Tshisekedi “must apply the laws of the republic” in the highlands, called Kimweta Kangeta.
Meanwhile, localities in the highlands are burning, Interior Minister Gilbert Kankonde worried at the start of these three days of assistance. The head of the Congolese territorial administration said he expected a commitment from the 100 participants. Fixed and a change of mentality focused on peaceful cohabitation.
