In the DRC, the day after the reconciliation between the natives of the provinces of Greater Katanga, the forum for peace and social cohesion in Kasaï and Kasaï central began on Tuesday in Kinshasa. Organized by the Swedish NGO Inter Peace and funded by the Swedish Embassy, national elected officials and customary authorities and other stakeholders take part in this meeting.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Kamanda Wa Kamanda Muzembe
These foundations should make it possible to resolve several very recurring conflicts in the Kasai area, two regions hard hit by inter-community conflicts, explains the first vice-president of the National Assembly, Professor André Mbata.
” The conflicts between clan groups, the conflicts of power, the conflicts of succession… These are conflicts which continue to arise in Grand Kasaï as in several other parts of the Republic and I believe that it is important that we put end to this conflict so that we can achieve peace and development in our country “, he details.
“The communities have started to look at each other”
The existence of the Kamwuina Nsapu militias had exacerbated community conflicts In the region. But the situation is changing according to the governor of the province of Kasaï, Dieudonné Pieme: “ Thanks to the partners who accompanied us in the process, today the communities have started to look at each other, at least we have started to discuss our differences and the problems that are ours”he said.
“We believe that we are looking in the right direction and we hope that at the end of this process we will end up recovering practically all the peace that has eluded us so far. “, adds the governor.
The forum ends on Thursday and the organizers hope that the central government will engage alongside the provincial and customary authorities in this search for peace and social cohesion.