Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the URDPC/CODECO for peace in Ituri province

• Country/entity

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  
• Region

  Africa (excl MENA)
  
• Agreement name

  Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the URDPC/CODECO for peace in Ituri province
• Date

  1 Aug 2020
• Agreement status

  Unilateral document
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Congo Civil Wars (1996 - ) )
• Stage

  Ceasefire/related
• Conflict nature

  Territory
• Peace process

  DRC: Eastern DRC processes
• Parties

  Pour l'URDPC/CODECO
  1. NGUNA KIZA [signature]
  2. BASA ZUKPA [signature]
  3. LONDROMA NKUKPA [signature] [stamp]
• Third parties

  Les Témoins:
  
  1. Pour la délégation envoyée par le Chef de l'État
  Floribert Ndjabu Mgabu [signature]
  
  2. Les chefs des Groupements et des villages
  BUVI VIDJO Emile. Chef de localite2 CODJO [signature]
  
  3. Les Responsables et Représentants de l'Église CODECO
  01 KABBULI R'ODA [signature]
  02 TSUBA SHALAYBA [signature]
  03 BUKI LIVA [signature]
  04 ZULO JOLO [signature]
  
  4. Les Organisations de la Société Civile et de la Jeunesse
  MANDRO DHEGA Société Civile. [signature]
  BELO-LONU/JEUNESSE [signature]
• Description

  Unilateral ceasefire declaration in which URDPC/CODECO, a non-state armed group active in Djugo territory, commits itself to put an end to hostilities in Ituri Province. The group provides for the safe movement of people (including displaced people), goods and humanitarian aid. It also calls on the Congolese government to provide humanitarian assistance and implement a mechanism to oversee the enforcement of the truce. Finally, the group conditions its commitment to the DDR process to the outcome of tasks with the Congolese government. This unilateral ceasefire is part of a pacification mission in Djugu territory initiated by the President of the Republic on July 13, 2020. In this context, 6 different militias have agreed to join the peace process. These are ALC/CODECO (Armée de Libération du Congo/Coopérative pour le Développement Économique du Congo), URDPC/CODECO (Union des Révolutionnaires pour la Défense du Peuple Congolais), ARDPC/CODECO (Armée des Révolutionnaires pour la Défense du Peuple Congolais), FDBD (La Force pour la Défense de la Balkanisation du Congo), Gutsi's assailants and the FDBC.

• Agreement document

  CD_200801_Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the URDPC_CODECO for peace in Ituri province.pdf | Download PDF
• Agreement document (original language)

  CD_200801_Unilateral ceasefire agreement signed between the Union des révolutionnaires pour la défense du people congolais (URDPC:CODECO) and the presidential delegation on 1 August 2020.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT SIGNED BY THE URDPC/CODECO FOR PEACE IN ITURI PROVINCE

PREAMBLE

Having regard to the multiple calls made by the Congolese Head of State to various armed groups active in the East of the DRC to cease hostilities;

Having regard to the Congolese Head of State’s invitation to end violence in Ituri during his visit to Djugu territory in July 2019;

Having regard to the Congolese Head of State’s wish and commitment to restore the authority of the State in Djugu territory;

Having regard to the mission of keeping peace in Ituri which the Congolese Head of State entrusted to certain community leaders sent from Kinshasa;

Whereas this delegation of leaders traveled to Djugu to meet the commanders of the Union des Revolutionnaires Defense du Peuple Congolais /Cooperative pour le Developpement Economique au Congo (URDPC/CODECO) and the people on 22 July 2020, to bring them the Congolese Head of State’s message of peace;

Having regard to the need to restore peace and security to entities controlled by the URDPC/CODECO in Ituri province;

Having regard to the two meetings with the heads of the URDPC/CODECO in Ndalo and Lodjo, respectively, held on 31 July and 1 August 2020 with the delegation sent by the Head of State;

Being eager to participate in and contribute to efforts to restore peace, security and the authority of the State in Ituri province;

THE URDPC/CODECO AGREES AS FOLLOWS:

Chapter 1:

On the unilateral truce

Article 1.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to put an end to hostilities in Ituri Province.

The end of hostilities includes an end of attacks against the FARDC and the PNC.

Article 2.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to engage in talks with the Congolese government regarding its list of demands made to the delegation sent from Kinshasa by the Congolese Head of State on 14 August 2020.

Chapter II.

On free movement of people, goods and humanitarian services

Article 3.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to guarantee free movement of people and their property in Ituri Province.

Article 4.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to allow the civilian population to peacefully and freely go about their business in Ituri Province.

Article 5.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to leave open a humanitarian corridor in order to assist displaced persons and populations in need of humanitarian aid.

It also agrees to allow free passage of security services to collect supplies and on their various comings and goings.

Article 6.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to gather its fighters at the sites provided by the Congolese government’s technical services and/or its partners.

Article 7.

During the accommodation period, the URDPC/CODECO not having the means to provide for itself, agrees to accept food and other provisions to ensure the survival of its fighters from the Congolese government and/or its partners.

Chapter IV.

On the community DDR process

Article 8.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to cooperate with the Congolese government on disarmament and reintegration of its fighters into society.

However, this collaboration shall depend upon the outcome of talks regarding the demands made to the delegation.

Chapter V. Final provisions

Article 9.

The URDPC/CODECO invites the Congolese government to implement a mechanism to oversee enforcement of this agreement, made up of a mix of URDPC/CODECO members, negotiators sent by the Head of State, members of the Congolese government and civilians.

Article 10.

The URDPC/CODECO agrees to perform the terms of this agreement in good faith, which agreement shall enter into force on the date of signature below.

Done at Ala, on 14 August 2020

For the URDPC/CODECO

(signatories)

For the URDPC/CODECO:

1. NGUNA KIZA

2. BASH ZUKPA

3. LONDROMA NDJUKPA

Witnesses:

1. For the Delegation sent for the Head of State:

Floribert Ndjabu Ngabu

2. Group and Village Leaders:

BURI VIDJO Emile - Chef de Localite LODJO

3. Leaders and Representatives of the Local Church:

1. KABBULI R'DDA

2. TSUBA SHALAYBA

3. BUKI LIVA

4. ZULO JOLO

4. Civil Society and Youth Organisations:

MANDRO DHEGA - Societe Civil

BELO-LONU - Youth