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Democratic Republic of Congo

2011 progress report to the Global Alliance for
Ministries and Departments of Peace

Country: Democratic Republic of Congo
Campaign: Democratic Republic of Congo Ministry for Peace
GA Contact Person: Jean-Pierre Mfuni Mwanza
Contact Email: jpmfuni@yahoo.ca
Website: http://www.cacopa.org/

REPORTCAMPAIGN FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MINISTRY FOR PEACE (MFP) IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Systemic violence is inhibiting political, economic and social development in the Democratic Republic of Congo leaving, high levels of trauma in its wake. The first war started in 1996 with many objective to overthrow the late Dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. The Second Congo War, beginning in 1998, devastated the country, involved seven foreign armies and is sometimes referred to as the “African World War”. Despite the signing of peace accords in 2003, fighting continues in the east of the country. In eastern Congo, the prevalence of rape and other sexual violence is described as the worst in the world. The war is the world’s deadliest conflict since World War II, killing 5.4 million people.

Following the signing of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement in July 1999 between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and five regional States in July 1999, the Security Council established the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) by its resolution 1279 of 30 November 1999, initially to plan for the observation of the ceasefire and disengagement of forces and maintain liaison with all parties to the Ceasefire Agreement. Later in a series of resolutions, the Council expanded the mandate of MONUC to the supervision of the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement and assigned multiple related additional tasks.

In accordance with Security Council resolution 1925 of 28 May 2010, MONUC was renamed as of 1 July the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to reflect the new phase reached in the country.

Looking to the fact that the UN mission will not last in the country and that there is a big need of Peace in the country for its development considering its natural resources, In 2005, CACOPA was created in way to contribute to search of sustainable peace in the Democratic republic of Congo. In 2008, started the Campaign for establishing a National Structure of Peace and in 2010, a draft of a Bill was given to the Ministry of the Relation with the Parliament. It is now timely to invest in Peacebuilding and Security efforts in order to bring tribal communities to make peace and prevent future occurrences of violent conflict.

THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE CAMPAIGN
The presentation of the draft of the Bill to the Ministry of Relation with the Parliament.

HIGHLIGHTS OF RECENT ACTIVITIES, EVENTS OR ACTIONS STEPS

  • Meeting with MONUSCO chief the Human Rights section for debriefing and for any partnership and support.
  • Meeting with UNDP in charge of Good Governance for support.
  • Meeting with advisers at the Ministry of Home Affairs

ANY INSIGHTS OR LESSONS LEARNED
It is very important to work hand in hand with National Government maybe having one the member on board.