For over ten years, the province of Ituri, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been the scene of inter-ethnic conflict, mainly between the Lendu and Hema communities. Fueled by criminal interests and geopolitical dynamics specific to the Great Lakes region, this conflict has plunged Ituri into a spiral of violence. This situation, though alarming, is also the starting point for numerous local reconciliation initiatives that testify to the resilience and hope of the local populations.
The origins of the conflict in Ituri go back to decades of antagonism between the Hema, traditionally herders, and the Lendu, mainly farmers. Rivalries over access to land and natural resources were exacerbated by the region’s political and economic instability, particularly after the successive wars that shook the DRC at the end of the 20th century.
These local tensions have been compounded by external influences. Ituri’s wealth of mineral resources, particularly gold, has attracted national and international players, often accused of taking advantage of community divisions to exploit these resources with impunity. What’s more, the Great Lakes region, already marked by conflicts in Rwanda and Uganda, has seen these tensions imported into the DRC, fuelling the violence in Ituri.
The situation has worsened with the collapse of state authority in certain areas. Lacking protection and guidance, young people, sometimes barely out of childhood, were forced to take up arms to defend their communities.
Despite the trauma caused by years of war, individual and community initiatives are emerging to promote peace. Elle Alphonsine Cecile, 22, a former combatant, recounts her journey marked by violence and her choice to give up her weapons to work towards reconciliation. Cecile tells Peace News Network (PNN) she regrets her actions because they did not ultimately bring her peace.
“It was the absence of peace that drove us to take up arms. I saw my loved ones being killed, which aroused in me a deep sense of revolt. I took up arms at the age of 15 and took part in attacks, thinking that this would bring us peace. Today, I regret my actions. Living conditions remain precarious, but I believe that a future of stability is possible”, she declares.
This quest for peace goes beyond the individual. Local groups organize forums for inter-community dialogue, where former enemies meet to exchange ideas, share experiences, and discuss ways of preventing further violence. Young people like Cecile and 22-year-old Ngabu Jospin are actively involved in these efforts. After leaving militia groups, the two joined a farm road maintenance initiative, helping to build trust between local tribes. In Jospin’s words, “Peaceful coexistence is better than unnecessary conflicts that plague the region.”
An integrated approach to restoring peace
Faced with this complex situation, the Congolese authorities and international organizations have adopted a multi-faceted approach, combining military intervention, disarmament programs, and socio-economic reintegration initiatives.
On the security front, the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) have carried out offensives against several armed groups, reducing their capacity to cause harm. These operations have enabled them to liberate strategic areas such as Diango, once a stronghold of the ”Patriotic Force and Integrationist of Congo” (FPIC) armed group.
”It used to be impossible to access Diango. But thanks to military operations and disarmament programs, security has been restored. Hema, Lendu, and Bira now meet, pray together and work side by side. These ex-militiamen, who were once enemies, have become citizens committed to living together,” says a local official.
The authorities have also set up demobilization and reintegration programs. These initiatives provide ex-combatants with vocational training, helping them to rebuild their lives on solid foundations. At the same time, development projects, such as support for agriculture and infrastructure construction, are strengthening the resilience of local communities.
Humanitarian impact and persistent challenges
Despite these advances, many challenges remain. The region is still marked by inter-ethnic massacres and targeted attacks on IDP camps, where thousands of families seek refuge. This violence is exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis, characterized by food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and precarious living conditions.
At the same time, ethnic divisions continue to be exploited by certain political and economic players. This instrumentalization threatens peace efforts by exacerbating tensions between communities.
For national deputy Gracien Iracan de Saint-Nicolas, elected in Ituri province, another major obstacle is the lack of confidence in state institutions, which are perceived as inefficient or corrupt. For peace to be sustainable in Ituri, it is essential to strengthen local governance and restore the credibility of the authorities with the local population. The corrupt state institutions are the leaders in Ituri province, according to Deputy Gracien Iracan and even other national deputies.
Several reports point out that much of the insecurity is fuelled by a few local authorities and leaders with the aim of commercializing the mineral business, in addition to conflicts over access to land.
Despite this difficult context, inspiring examples of resilience and solidarity are emerging. Local associations are organising awareness campaigns to promote dialogue and deconstruct ethnic prejudice. Such associations include the Union des associations culturelles pour le développement de l’Ituri and Rebatisseurs, which focus on dialogue and peace-building with community leaders, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), and the Provincial Government and its partners. MONUSCO organised a dialogue between the Lesse and Nande communities whose conflict was linked to land. All these associations are active in community action and projects, such as agricultural cooperatives and learning centres, enabling the inhabitants to work together, whatever their origin, in order to create this feeling of living together between the communities. The conflicts that are coming back to the table are essentially linked to access to land, with the problem linked to mines in certain territories, as is the case with Djugu, and even the absence of state authority.
Women’s groups such as Forum d’appui au développement de la femme, Forum des mamans de l’ituri ‘Fomi,’ and many others also play a central role in these efforts. As direct victims of violence, they are often at the forefront of reconciliation initiatives. Alphonsine Cecile’s testimony illustrates the determination of women to transform their painful experiences into a driving force for positive change.
What’s more, the Iturian diaspora, though often geographically remote, provides crucial support by funding development projects and advocating lasting peace on the international stage.
A vision for the future of Ituri
To transform Ituri into a true Eldorado of peace, local initiatives must be supported by coherent efforts at national and international level. This includes setting up transitional justice mechanisms to deal with past crimes and restore trust between communities.
Rebuilding state authority is also essential. A strong state, capable of guaranteeing security and providing basic services, is a sine qua non for preventing a return to violence.
Finally, the international community has a role to play in providing technical and financial support, while ensuring that Ituri’s natural resources are used transparently and equitably.
Despite persistent challenges, the examples of Alphonsine, Ngabu Jospin, and other ex-combatants show that hope for renewal is alive and well in Ituri. Through renewed dialogue and local development initiatives, communities are paving the way for a future where the wounds of the past will give way to a new beginning. Ituri, once synonymous with violence, could one day become a model of resilience and peaceful coexistence in Central Africa.
Anicet Kimonyo
Anicet Kimonyo is a Congolese journalist and war reporter based in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the city of Goma in the Province of North Kivu. Since the resurgence of conflicts in the region, he has been involved in media coverage of conflicts in the region and their consequences to the community. His work focuses on issues of democracy, peace and good governance in the region, environmental and climate issues and topics about mining.
