DEMORATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: A local NGO works with former fighters and rebels to rehabilitate them and show then how to survive without living by the gun in a region that has been rife with armed groups since a civil war ended in 2003

Record ID: 375543

  • Title: DEMORATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: A local NGO works with former fighters and rebels to rehabilitate them and show then how to survive without living by the gun in a region that has been rife with armed groups since a civil war ended in 2003
  • Date: 29th February 2012
  • Summary: BUKAVU, DRC (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS IN A PARADE A DEMOBILISATION CEREMONY MWENGA, SOUTH KIVU, DRC (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ARMED MAI MAI REBELS
  • Embargoed: 15th March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Congo
  • Country: Congo, Democratic Republic of
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAEGW1P1WTNZQW2PZJ3HUD2KZP1
  • Story Text: Not long ago, these men in Bukavu, a city in Eastern Democratic of Congo, were fighting in the ranks of the many armed groups operating in Congo's east.
    Now they are among the increasing number of Congolese rebels who have put down their weapons and are trying to adjust to civilian life.
    A local organisation is now teaching these former fighters to fish, something that will integrate them into the community and give them a way to earn money.
    The organisation for the development of fishermen and illiterates in South Kivu (ADPASK) brings together more than 2,000 members many of whom are former fighters and petty criminals, and helps them reintegrating them into society.
    "You can see that they have the will and they have determination. They have changed and are now more valuable to society. But they still need financial support, as well as fishing equipment, because they always try to raise money but it's not enough. They have sacrificed a lot, and they do not have enough money to live on," said the president of the organisation, Elodie Ntamuzinda.
    The men are also taught business skills, so take advantage of their fishing by selling their catch in the local market.
    "This life is better because I can no longer make a living from stealing and killing, I don't have a gun. Thanks to ADPASK, I didn't have a home before, but today I have two houses that I am now putting a roof on. If you come to my house today, you will see that I have now become a real man. We used to live in bad conditions and no one would help us, but ADPASK came to our rescue, and our children are now going to school," said Bagalwa Bashazi, a n ex- combatant.
    "What makes us happy is that we are no longer in the army, and we received compensation money, and what we have here is much more than being part of any army. We can eat, and pay school fees for our children, whose health was deteriorating before we left the army. Today, we can say that we are men amongst men," said another former combatant, Nkuzi Bisismwa.
    The government has been integrating former rebels into the army, the FARDC, or given a choice to return to civilian life in a bid to curb rebellion.
    Since February, Congo's senior military have been trying to reduce tensions by cementing the chain of command and eliminating loyalties based on rebel groupings.
    But the fortunate ones are a testimony to their communities that there is a way to the recovery from one of the world's recent devastating conflicts in recent times fighting continues between different militias groups in eastern congo.
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