Latest news with #MONUSCO
Zawya
2 days ago
- General
- Zawya
Democratic Republic of the Congo - Fataki: A Training Center to Reintegrate At-Risk Youth and Vulnerable Women
In a region still marked by insecurity, a joint initiative by MONUSCO and its partners offers a new perspective to one hundred beneficiaries in Fataki, in Djugu territory. Sixty vulnerable women and forty at-risk youth now have access to a vocational training center, inaugurated on June 15 through a Community Violence Reduction (CVR) project, in collaboration with the National Program for Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization (PDDRCS) and the local NGO Women in Action for Multisectoral Development (FADEM). Equipped with three training rooms, a carpentry workshop, a bakery oven, an administrative office and sanitation facilities, the center offers practical training in carpentry, baking and tailoring. This advancement has been welcomed by local authorities, who see it as a concrete lever for reintegration and social cohesion. An Initiative Born from Community Dialogue This project builds on discussions initiated in 2021 between armed groups and communities, supported by MONUSCO and provincial authorities. These exchanges led to an agreement to cease violence and define local priorities, among which was the creation of economic opportunities for youth and women. " This center is the fruit of collective commitment," recalled MONUSCO Bunia office chief Josiah Obat, calling on communities to continue on the path of dialogue and living together. " All these different tribes are a wealth. In case of disagreement, dialogue. Here you have a framework to train, but also to get closer to each other," he emphasized. Training to Rebuild Beyond learning a trade, this project gives beneficiaries the means to take care of themselves and regain an active place in society. Dorcas, for example, can now sell her pastries at the market. " I'm delighted with this project. It allowed me to learn baking. I now know how to make fritters and cakes that I sell at the market. I can take care of myself without waiting for help from my husband," she confides. Aline, trained in sewing, is preparing to make school uniforms: " Here in Fataki, there are few seamstresses. I learned to sew. With the school year approaching, I'm going to make uniforms for the village children. That will allow me to earn money and feed my family." Others, like Grâce, who became a trainer, are now passing on their skills to other women. These testimonies reflect a dynamic of change that goes beyond the simple framework of training. They embody a desire to build lasting peace through local initiatives. A Response to Territorial Challenges With a budget of $98,000 funded by MONUSCO through its DDR-S section, this project responds to a dual objective: offering a concrete alternative to precarity and reducing the attractiveness of armed groups. It is based on a participatory approach, integrating communities at each stage of its implementation. Local authorities encourage ownership of this initiative. For Djugu territory administrator Ruffin Mapela, "this project strengthens social cohesion between communities, while building on local resources and skills." In Fataki, the vocational training center illustrates the common commitment to sustainable solutions to violence. It is now up to the communities, with partner support, to make it a living space, a driver of transformation for the entire region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
Zawya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Doha agreement brings Democratic Republic (DR) Congo government and M23 rebels a step closer to peace
An agreement signed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) has been hailed by the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MONUSCO) as 'an important step toward sustainable peace. In a statement released on 19 July, MONUSCO said that the Declaration of Principles, signed in Doha under the mediation of Qatar, 'reflects the parties' resolve to prioritize peaceful means, establish a ceasefire, and set up a joint mechanism to define its practical implementation.' 'This important declaration marks a shift toward easing tensions and protecting civilians seriously affected by the conflict,' declared Mr. Bruno Lemarquis, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC and Acting Head of MONUSCO. 'We commend the commitments made and call for their timely and good faith implementation.' Those commitments include measures to facilitate the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their places or countries of origin, and the encouragement of inclusive dialogue, seen as vital to addressing the root causes of the conflict and achieving lasting peace. Earlier this year, the M23 launched an offensive in North and South Kivu provinces, capturing cities and villages, including provincial capitals Goma and Bukavu. Thousands of civilians were killed, hundreds of thousands more were displaced, and serious human rights violations were committed. The Declaration of Principles comes less than a month after a peace agreement signed by Congo and Rwanda, long accused by the Congolese government of supporting the M23. The Mission's statement highlighted the Declaration's emphasis on civilian protection and support for the ceasefire, with assistance from MONUSCO and other partners, and reaffirmed its readiness to support the cessation of hostilities, particularly through the establishment of a credible and jointly agreed verification mechanism. MONUSCO's statement concluded by urging all parties to honour their commitments, act in good faith throughout the process, and prioritise human rights, security, and the aspirations of the Congolese people in all decisions. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
'E disappear without a word': Women wey UN peacekeepers give belle and abandon
Despite di scorching sun and stifling air, twelve-year-old Dimitri, no be im real name, hide inside im mother modest iron-sheet home for Birere, for informal settlement in Goma, for eastern Democratic Republic of di Congo. "E no wan face di teasing of oda children over im curly hair and lighter skin," say im mama, Kamate Bibiche, tok to di BBC bifor Goma fall to di M23 rebels in January. "E (Dimitri) na Russian, yet fit neva live to im true heritage," she tok. Dimitri na reminder of one painful legacy of di United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in di Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Since im deployment for di end of 1999, di mission don face widespread allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse wey involve women and young girls. Kamate hesitate bifor e pull out one dusty box wey dem hide deep under her bed. Inside na her only reminders of Yuriy, di man she say na Dimitri father. E contain one worn military hat and one old photograph of di two of dem togeda. Kamate bin meet Yuriy on one night out and say she become attracted to im calm persona. Di pair get three month relationship. "'E no be like oda men. E bin love and treat me really well. E be di best three months I ever get," Kamate recall. Yuriy, like many peacekeepers dey interact wit local communities, bin reveal little about im actual background or true credentials. "E be UN peacekeeper," Kamate tok. "E no say I dey pregnant and promise to take care of us. But den e disappear without one word, as if we mean nothing to am," Kamate tok. She tok say she no get way to reach her Russian partner, as di phone number wey e dey use don dey disconnected. Abuse of power Although Kamate bin enta into di relationship willingly, under one United Nations resolution adopted by di general assembly in 2005, e still dey considered exploitative. Dis policy recognises di power imbalance between UN personnel and vulnerable local populations, wey fit make any sexual relationships exploitative, even if dey appear consensual. Di resolution dey urge member states to provide justice for victims by holding perpetrators accountable once dem send dem back to dia home kontries. Wen ask about di whereabouts of Kamate boyfriend, MONUSCO spokesperson Ndeye Lo tell BBC Russian say dem no get contingent troops in di mission, say "only a few police officers and staff officers dey work for di headquarters". She say di mission no fit give access to di records of specific Russian officers wey bin serve in 2012 "for legal reasons". Di BBC bin attempt to track down Yuriy, including on Russian language social media, but no fit find am. Serious allegations Eastern DR Congo don experience decades of conflict as govment forces fight off rebel groups wey wan control di mineral rich region. In January, Goma bin fall to Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. About 7,000 pipo die in di fight as di militants take over di city, according to DR Congo prime minister. Di United Nations estimate say over eight million pipo dey currently displaced, wey make am one of di world largest internal displacement crises. Many pipo dey struggle wit extreme poverty and lack of access to basic needs such as food, water, and shelter, dey expose women and girls particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Wen di BBC bin tok to Maria Masika (no be her real name), she bin just arrive in Goma from di embattled town of Sake, north of di city. Di goment soldiers bin don dey battle rebel fighters but don eventually overrun. Maria dey visibly shake - still in shock from di intense gunfire wey she bin witness. 'E bin know say I be minor' Masika bin don travel to Goma to see her 8-year-old daughter Queen, wey dey live wit her grandmother in di city for safety. At just 17, Masika don involve wit a South African peacekeeper wey dey stationed near di Minugugi base. "E sabi say I be minor," she tok. "E bin rent one house near di base and visit me whenever d dey off duty." Afta Queen birth, di peacekeeper become unreachable, leave Masika to fend for herself. Desperate to provide for her daughter, she tok say she now dey risk her life to make a living as sex worker in Sake. Wen dem dey asked about relationships between UN peacekeepers and locals, di South African National Defence Force say dem take di allegations seriously. "On-site military court sessions bin hold in di mission area where credible evidence of sexual exploitation and abuse dey, including oda disciplinary infractions," di force tok-tok pesin Siphiwe Dlamini tok. For di Congolese Family for Joy, wey be safe house for abandoned and orphaned children, at least five children dey reported to don dey fathered by MONUSCO troops and later abandon by dia mothers. "Wit our partners, we dey provide support to around 200 women and young girls wey don suffer sexual exploitation by MONUSCO personnel," Nelly Kyeya, di centre director tok. "Many of dem dey face severe stigma from dia communities sake of dem settle for survival prostitution. Diis ostracization often dey drive dem to abandon dia children," she tok Sandrine Lusamaba, di national coordinator of Sofepadi, one women's rights group in di DRC, tell di BBC say di lack of direct authority by di UN to prosecute sexual exploitation perpetrators mean say many dey waka free. She tok say many member states no dey cooperate to prosecute dia soldiers. One UN report wey dey released in March 2024 indicate rise in allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation wey link to dia peacekeeping and special political missions. One hundred allegations dey reported in peacekeeping and special political missions in 2023, increase from di 79 wey dey reported in 2022. Dis incidents involve 143 victims, including115 adults and 28 children according to di United Nations. Notably, MONUSCO - including di former United Nations Organization Mission in di Democratic Republic of di Congo (MONUC) - account for 66 of di 100 allegations, wey highlight concerns about accountability within di mission. Zero-tolerance policy "Wen information about possible allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse dey received, di information dey assessed and concrete action dey taken," MONUSCO tok-tok pesin Ndeye Lo tok. "Any personnel against wey one allegation dey substantiated go dey red flagged in our system barred from further employment (civilian) or deployment (uniformed)." Di mission say dem dey empower alleged victims and dia children through di Victim Assistance Trust Fund by providing skills training and education. But many women and young girls like Kamate and Maria say dem no know about available support while odas remain too traumatised to seek justice.
Zawya
04-07-2025
- General
- Zawya
Democratic Republic of the Congo - Bunia: Peacekeepers train 35 youth in operating excavators
After three weeks of training on operating excavators, also known as mechanical shovels, thirty-five participants, including four young women, received their completion certificates on Friday, 4 July 2025, at the Ndoromo military camp located on the outskirts of Bunia. This marks the second cohort trained by MONUSCO's Bangladeshi contingent. In November last year, twenty-nine individuals completed a similar initiative aims to provide vocational skills to youth from Bunia and surrounding areas, helping improve their employment prospects in a province affected by insecurity and high unemployment, especially among the younger generation. It also offers an alternative for those at risk of recruitment by armed groups, which often target idle or marginalized youth. Proudly holding his certificate, Moïse Saukpa shared his motivation: ' I took part in the training on operating excavators organized by the Bangladeshis. This was a dream I was determined to pursue. I had already planned to enrol elsewhere before this opportunity came up, and I decided to make the most of it.' He sees the training as a turning point: ' It will benefit me greatly, not only by deepening my mechanical knowledge but also by helping us integrate into society and avoid negative influences. This kind of support raises awareness among young people and helps us steer away from harmful choices. ' He also delivered a message to his peers: ' To those who have joined armed groups, we say: stop engaging in actions that harm the country. Instead, take part in training like this and take control of your future". Desange Munguromo Unyera, one of the four women trained, encouraged other girls to break free from gender stereotypes in technical fields: ' The future may be uncertain, but my message to the girls of Bunia is to commit wholeheartedly. Work is a noble value. I encourage all girls to participate in this kind of training. It was completely free, and in return, we gained both knowledge and certificates. ' Since the beginning of the year, MONUSCO's military contingents have trained hundreds of young people in Ituri in various trades. These include operating heavy machinery, repairing mobile phones and electronics, working as electricians, and cultivating vegetables. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Lubero: United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) supports military justice in trials for sexual violence
Mobile court hearings conducted by the Butembo Military Court began on Thursday, 26 June, in the town of Lubero, North Kivu. Ninety-two defendants, including 45 Congolese soldiers and 47 civilians, are facing charges of rape, sexual violence, child abduction, and extortion. The crimes were committed between 2021 and 2024. These hearings, expected to last around ten days, are being held with the technical, logistical and financial support of MONUSCO's Justice Support Section. The trials take place in a context of heightened militarization in this area of North Kivu, linked to Sukola I operations against armed sources report that the prolonged interaction between civilians and military personnel has contributed to a rise in sexual violence, particularly involving minors. Formally requested by the Butembo Military Court, MONUSCO is supporting the initiative to ensure justice for victims, combat impunity and bring the judiciary closer to mobile hearings aim to enable victims to participate in the legal process, reduce prolonged pretrial detention at the Butembo urban prison, and deter future perpetrators of similar crimes. This initiative is part of MONUSCO's strategic plan, which seeks to reduce violence, protect civilians and reinforce the rule of is providing technical and logistical support, including the transportation of trial participants, coordination of hearings and legal monitoring. The North Kivu Women's League welcomed the initiative. Its coordinator, Hélène Makule, called it a step forward, while urging for strict enforcement of court rulings. ' We want the perpetrators to be punished in accordance with the law. Too often, we are told they are in prison, but they remain at large, which puts human rights defenders at risk. ' she said. This partnership between the Congolese military justice system and MONUSCO represents a key pillar in the fight against impunity. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
