Posts by Floribert Kazingufu

From the field SOS from a Congolese peacebuilder: rescue the young democracy of DR Congo!

There are concrete steps the Congolese political establishment can take to avert post-election violence, if external pressure helps to engender the necessary political will. Peacebuilders across DR Congo have launched an urgent call towards the international community to take preventive measures to avoid a resurgence of violence. Read more >>>

From the field DR Congo: Local conflicts lacking attention

With elections in DR Congo due at the end of Novemeber, there is a lack of attention on local conflicts. Insight on Conflicts Congolese local correspondent reports from Fizi territory in South Kivu, where tensions and violence between local tribes threatens to escalate. Read more >>>

From the field Two conflicts, One Village: The Case of Kasika

The village of Kasika is infamous throughout DR Congo for the massacre which took place there in 1998 during the war with the RCD armed group. I have wanted to visit the village in the past, but have never have not been able to visit until now, when I heard that the village had begun important peacebuilding efforts. The location of Kasika is rather dangerous but the chance to see this important peacebuilding and reconciliation work made me determined to visit. Read more >>>

From the field ‘Our Past Must Not Determine Our Future’

Eastern DR Congo has been the scene of unimaginable violence and human rights abuses since 1996. Women and children above all have suffered the worst of the violence. With many living in isolated rural areas, they have been extremely vulnerable to the various armed groups operating in DR Congo, and often deliberately targeted for attack and rape. Read more >>>

Commentary The Great Elephant in the Traps

Today, everybody is talking about peace and stability in the Great Lakes Region; a place of reconciliation between countries which were once living in suspicion. The Republic of Rwanda and DR Congo have exchanged their ambassadors, a new ambassador of DR Congo has started his work in Burundi, and the East African Community is slowly taking shape. The Community of Central African countries is on the move, and the Southern African countries are also promising to strengthen their relations. Time to look ahead, for a common bright future. Read more >>>

From the field A growing conflict in South Kivu, DR Congo

Last month I visited South Kivu in DR Congo, and saw first hand the fears of local people that a new conflict may be emerging, years after the Congo War officially ended. I have now travelled back to the region in order to gauge local people’s experiences as the Congolese army (FARDC) continues their Kimia II operation to dismantle the FDLR rebel forces. This operation is supported by MONUC, the UN mission, and proclaims the protection of civilians as its top priority. Read more >>>

From the field Land Conflict Solved in Swima

Swima is a beautiful village on the coast of Lake Tanganyika in the territory of Fizi. It is also a land of conflict where violence and disputes can easily destabilise the whole village for days. This article focuses on a land conflict which arose in Swima between two groups of people after the war and the return of refugees from the refugee camps of Nyarugusu in Tanzania. Read more >>>

From the field The Magic River Between Two Tribes

The war that started in DR Congo in 1996 has planted hatred in the hearts of people across the country and caused long hidden conflicts between people, tribes and communities to resurface. Conflicts are started for lots of reasons: economic inequalities, power-grabbing, cultural differences and land disputes – no corner of the country, whether large city or small rural village, has been left untouched. This report focuses on a serious, deadly conflict over a shared river between the two provinces of South Kivu and Maniema, in the territory of Fizi, and how an organisation working with all the people involved succeeded in finding a peaceful solution. Read more >>>

From the field A Trip to Fizi

Another unnecessary war is slowly but surely taking shape in the Fizi territory, in the South-East of the Democratic Republic of Congo. An increasing number of troops are entering the region, and if nothing is done, things may get worse in a short period. The situation is reminiscent of how the conflict started in North Kivu. Read more >>>