Peace and Peaceful Cohabitation Komanda Convention between native communities of Irumu territory

KOMANDA CONVENTION FOR PEACE AND PEACEFUL COHABITATION BETWEEN NATIVE COMMUNITIES IN IRUMU TERRITORY

August 2020

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

The Territory of Irumu is one of five Territories which make up Ituri Province.

Its surface area is 8183km2 and its population is around 3,053,481 inhabitants;

that is, 373 inhabitants per square kilometer.

To the east, it borders the Republic of Uganda;

it shares its western border with the Territory of Mambasa, its northern border with the Territory of Djugu and its southern border with North Kivu Province.

The Territory of Irumu is made up of 12 decentralised entities, of which 11 are chefferies and 1 sector, which are, in turn, subdivided into 51 groups and 683 villages, where 6 organised ethnic groups are found, namely:

the Lendu Bindi, Bira, Hema, Lese, Nyali and Pygmies.

Since 2014, following insecurity observed in the neighbouring Territory of Beni (North Kivu Province) an influx of displaced persons has been observed in Irumu Territory, particularly into the following chefferies:

Walese Vonkutu, Basili and the city of Bunia.

Prior to that, massive numbers of Rwandan Hutus, known as “Banyabwisha” arrived in Banyali Tchabi, Baema Mitego, Bahema Boga, Walese Vonkutu, Basili, Baboa Bokoe and the city of Bunia.

Additionally, Irumu Territory did not escape unscathed from armed conflict in Djugu Territory, with its negative effects on the chefferies of Baboa Bokoe, Babelebe and the city of Bunia.

Therefore, since Irumu Territory is located on the highway between Beni and Djugu Territories, in a precarious security situation, subversive movements unfortunately developed within the territory, jeopardizing its social order and peaceful cohabitation among the local population.

The provincial government of Ituri and lively political and social forces in Irumu Territory are not blind to the negative effects of all these extreme atrocities in the area.

Consequently, several initiatives (intracommunity dialogues, consultations with traditional leaders and notable figures by Irumu elected officials) have been launched by the Provincial Government in Irumu Territory, under the patronage of the Governor of Ituri Province, His Excellency The Honorable Jean Bamanisa Saidi, in order to bring about an inclusive Round Table on the security and humanitarian situation in Irumu Territory, bringing together its sons and daughters, between the 10th and 12th August 2020, in Komanda.

OBJECTIVES

Global objective

Assess the worsening security and humanitarian in the chefferies and sector of Irumu Territory and engage communities in participative research on solutions for long-lasting peace.

Specific objectives

Raise awareness and involve all community forces active in Irumu Territory in the participative research process into possible long-lasting solutions to security issues;

Identify security issues and/or threats present in the chefferies and sector of Irumu Territory;

Mobilise and raise awareness among the communities of peace and peaceful cohabitation in Irumu Territory;

Serve as a positive role model in terms of the peace process for other entities at both provincial and national level;

Reinforce the authority of the State;

Sign an agreement for lasting peace and peaceful cohabitation between the communities of Irumu Territory.

EXPECTED RESULTS

All active forces are engaged in the peace process in Irumu Territory;

Inventories of the security and humanitarian situation in each chefferie and sector presented and understood by the communities and security services;

Internal and external security issues and threats are identified;

Possible lasting solutions to security and humanitarian issues are proposed;

Actors at all levels are committed to implementing recommendations;

An agreement for lasting peace and peaceful cohabitation between communities is signed.

METHODOLOGY

Active and participative methods were used to ensure the success of the round table discussions, mediated by the Honorable Jackson Ausse Afingoto and supported by the national and provincial representatives in attendance:

document review, presentations, workshops and plenary debate.

BASIC AGREEMENTS

Having understood the gravity of the security issues and the consequences of the same, the risk of the situation worsening and the need for lasting peace, which is essential for development and harmonious growth in Irumu Territory, the sons and daughters of that Territory are committed to:

1. Non-violence between communities;

2. Resolving internal conflicts with ongoing, honest communication;

3. Encouraging the disarmament of community militias;

4. Support for security services in the process of restoring the authority of the State;

5. Strict respect for so-called land law, in the handling of land estates.

No.

Security issues

Areas affected

1

FRPI

Chefferies of Andisoma, Mobala, Basili, Walesse Vonkutu, Walendu Bindi, Bahema Mitego, Bahema Boga and South Bahema.

2

CODECO

Chefferies of Babelebe and Boboa/Bokoe and Bahema South

3

ZAIRE

Chefferies of Baboa/Bokoe, Babelebe, Mobala, Basili and Andisoma

4

FPIC

Chefferies of Andisoma, Mobala, Babelebe, Basili, Bahema Irumu and Balesse Vonkutu

5

ADF – NALU

Chefferies of Walese Vonkutu, Banyali Chabi, Bahema Boga

6

MAI – MAI

Chefferies of Walesse Vonkutu and Bahema Mitego

7

Yira Cultural Association

Throughout Irumu Territory

8

Presence of BAKONZO/Ugandans

Bahema Boga

9

Partiality of the army in Civilian-Military relations

Throughout Irumu Territory

10

Rwandans Hutus, known as Banyabwisha

Wanyali Tchabi, Walesse Vonkutu, Bahema Boga, Bahema Mitego, Babelebe, Basili and Walendu Bindi

11

Administrative limit

Throughout Irumu territory

12

Issuance of concessions

Throughout Irumu territory

13

Poor peaceful cohabitation between the following communities:

Hema – Bira;

Bindi – Hema

All Bira, Hema and Bindi chefferies

14

Illegal occupation of land

Throughout Irumu territory

17

Wandering of animals

Throughout Irumu territory

18

Conflict between ICCN and the local community around Mount Hoto

Walese Vonkutu (Bandihangu and Bokucho grouping)

Table 2:

SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN ISSUES, POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND IMPLEMENTING AUTHORITY

No.

Security issues

Possible solution

Implementing authority

01

FPIC

-Start dialogue with this armed group

-Accelerate DDR process

-Reinforce the presence of FARDC in problem areas

-Warn young people not to join this movement.

- National and Provincial Assembly;

- Central and Provincial government;

- National Ministry of Defense

- Head of armed forces

- Military prosecutor.

- STAREC

- MONUSCO

02

FRPI

-Encourage the FRPI to respect the agreement signed with the Central government of the DRC

-Accelerate DDR process

- National and Provincial Assembly;

- Central and Provincial government;

- National Ministry of Defense

- Head of armed forces

- Military prosecutor.

- STAREC

- MONUSCO

03

MAI-MAI

-Reinforcement, in terms of funds and logistics, of military positions already held;

intensify operations in order to eradicate Mai-Mai in affected villages.

- Central and provincial government;

- National Ministry of Defense;

- Head of armed forces

04

ZAIRE

Identification, location and tracking;

Reinforce FARDC presence in problem areas;

Warn young people not to join this movement

National and Provincial Assembly;

Central and provincial government;

National Ministry of Defense;

Head of armed forces;

MONUSCO

05

CODECO

Accelerate dialogue with this armed group

Accelerate DDR process

Move Ezekere site far away from Irumu territory entities

Eradicate CODECO

National and Provincial Assembly;

Central and provincial government;

National Ministry of Defense;

STAREC

Head of armed forces;

- MONUSCO

06

Yira Cultural Association

Prohibit this association from operating in Irumu Territory until its goals and identity of its members have been clarified;

Remove non-native colline chiefs, to restore traditional authority

Formal prohibition on importing workforce for rural activities from North Kivu

National and Provincial Assembly;

Central and provincial government;

National Ministry of Defense;

STAREC

Head of armed forces;

- MONUSCO

07

Partiality of army in civilian-military relations

The army must be truly republican

Steady increase in all military officers, particularly Rwandan-speaking ones, into positions which are considered traditional leadership roles

National Ministry of Defense

Head of armed forces

Military prosecutor

08

ADF/NALU

Separation of military leadership between North Kivu (SOKOLA 1) and Ituri (Operational Sector)

Simultaneous military operation in Ituri and North Kivu to track ADF/NALU;

Deployment of military in strategic fields.

Reinforce civilian-military relations;

Warn the population to disassociate from these groups and report enemy positions.

Central government

National and provincial assembly

Local community

09

Presence of Bakonzo/Ugandans

Identify, disarm and repatriate them.

Central and provincial government

National and provincial assembly.

HCR

10

Rwandan Hutus, known as Banyabwisha

Identify, disarm and repatriate them.

Central and provincial government

National and provincial assemblies.

11

Administrative limit

Establishment of an ad hoc committee to define and analyse issues with administrative limits by referring to various authentic and legal documents to find a lasting solution;

Ongoing dialogue with entities struggling with administrative limits;

Accelerate delimitation process in Bunia;

Take into account all incorporated entities in Bunia, the leaders of which must be from the indigenous community.

National and provincial assemblies

Central and provincial government

Local authorities

Territorial administration

12

Management of concessions

Establish a committee to verify the authenticity of documents held by concession holders

National and Provincial Assemblies

Central and provincial government

13

Shared pastures

Review shared pasturages located in Irumu territory based on demographic change

National and provincial assemblies,

Central and Provincial government

Communities concerned.

14

Poor cohabitation between Hema-Bira, Bindi-Hema communities

Honest dialogue between these communities

Set up a truth and reconciliation commission between these communities.

National and provincial assemblies,

Central and Provincial government

Communities concerned.

NGOs.

15

Illegal occupation of land

Competent authority to identify and return all land illegally and improperly occupied, without any conditions.

Central and provincial government

16

Wandering of animals

Respect areas reserved for pastures;

Build kraals;

Modernise farming;

Make farmers aware of the issue and monitor the animals;

Apply legal penalties for wandering animals.

Local administration, ACCOOPELI and farmers

17

Conflict between ICCN and the local community around Mount Hoyo

Clearly define the status of the ICCN and its delimitation in consultation with the local community

Central government

18

Mass presence of displaced persons and Congolese refugees in Uganda

Holistic support for displaced persons;

Prepare for the return of displaced persons;

Restore the authority of the State.

National and Provincial Assembly

Central and Provincial government

NGOs (humanitarian agents)

19

Destruction of basic social infrastructure

Rebuild destroyed infrastructure

National and Provincial Assemblies

Central and provincial government

NGOs (humanitarian agents)

20

Flooding of Lake Albert and the Semiliki river, causing destruction of infrastructure

Reconstruction of infrastructure;

Reforestation of the plain and movement of threatened items;

Humanitarian assistance.

National and Provincial Assemblies

Central and provincial government

NGOs (humanitarian agents)

21

Difficulty of returning displaced persons

Assist displaced persons;

Make safe their locations of origin to allow for their return;

Restimulation of main activities, such as:

farming, fishing and animal rearing.

Central and Provincial government and NGOs

22

Illegal and unlawful exploitation of gold minerals by the Chinese and foreigners

Remove ZEA from cooperatives using Chinese and foreign individuals;

Identify all Chinese operating in the mining sector and the various areas they exploit;

Prohibition of using the military to protect persons who illegally and unlawfully exploit.

National and Provincial Assemblies

Central and Provincial government

Territorial administrators

23

Damage to the environment due to chaotic gold exploitation

Respect the mining code and mining regulation

Assess environmental damage caused by illegal and unlawful exploitation and plan how to fix it

Backfilling of holes

National and Provincial Assemblies

Central and Provincial government

Territorial administrators

23 (sic)

Illegal carrying of arms by individuals

Relevant services making regular searches and arrests of offenders, without discrimination

Central and Provincial government

Provincial Assembly

Security service

II. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

Documentary review helped identify and outline major internal and external security issues affecting Irumu Territory, in order to produce the final document formalising the resolutions made at the inclusive round table on the security and humanitarian situation in Irumu Territory.

This includes the following documents:

Reports of intra-community discussions organised by the Provincial Government;

Reference terms convening the round table;

Reports on the status of the chefferies and sector;

Results of group workshops.

OVERSIGHT AND ASSESSMENT MECHANISM

To ensure effective implementation of the conclusions which came out of the inclusive round table on the security and humanitarian situation in Irumu Territory, approved by signature of the Komanda convention for peace and peaceful cohabitation between communities in Irumu territory, an oversight and assessment body is hereby put in place, as follows:

Composition:

At national level:

national representatives, Senators and the Governor of the Province;

At provincial level:

provincial representatives and the governor

At local level:

7 members of the local security service committee for Irumu Territory and 9 members per chefferie and sector (2 notable figures, 1 youth representative, 1 women’s representative and 5 members of the security committee for the chefferies or sector);

Committee of sages

Operation

The bodies responsible for oversight and assessment of the Komanda convention for peace and peaceful cohabitation shall meet once per semester, or twice per year, to assess ongoing progress, and once per year a round table shall be called for a global assessment, with a likely change of issues.

Resources

The material and financial resources used for operating the bodies shall be provided by:

The 12 decentralised territorial entities in Irumu territory;

Political and social elite;

Provincial government.

RECOMMENDATIONS

No.

Recommendation

Date

Party responsible

01

Officially present the Komanda convention for peace and peaceful cohabitation to the provincial security committee by facilitating a round table

Monday, 17/08/2020

Mediation

02

Submit Komanda convention to Central Government

From Tuesday 18 to 22 August 2020

Governor

03

Pass the Komanda convention to the Territory and ETDs

From Tuesday 18 to 22 August 2020

Governor

04

Hold first ongoing assessment meeting

From Monday 21 to Tuesday 22/12/2020

Mediation

05

Make land law more accessible

Ongoing

Mediation

06

Immediately cease hostilities throughout Irumu Territory

Immediate

Mediation

Done in Komanda, on 12/08/2020

(signatories)

*Many of the signatories are illegibile in original document.

Below are a list of some of the orgnizations represented*

Organizations:

W-Yonkut

Chef GRPT Bavi

Boye

IRUNU

Bunia

Tchabi

ASS. PROV

ASS. NAT