In a fratricidal conflict over traditional rights since 2022, the two Congolese communities have officially smoked the peace pipe at the African Union City located in the heights of the Mont Ngaliema palace, in Kinshasa.
According to the presidential press, the two parties have signed a comprehensive and inclusive commitment act for peace and stability in the provinces of Mai-Ndombe, Kwango, Kwilu, Kongo Central, and Kinshasa, regions where the two communities primarily live. They decided to cease hostilities and seek a peaceful solution to the crisis.
The Congolese Head of State thanked the traditional leaders, to whom he promised "security and protection".
He committed to going to the affected areas himself and to award medals of merit to the traditional leaders for their involvement in restoring peace in these regions, among which the territory of Kwamouth, in Mai-Ndombe, suffered greatly.
Present at this ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Peter Kazadi, specified that he had given the Head of State the report of the mission that the latter had entrusted to him. He also stressed that this commitment act is drafted thanks to the specifications provided by the two conflicting communities.
These intercommunal violences started in June 2022 on the territory of Kwamouth, in the province of Mai-Ndombe, between the Teke and the Yaka. They are the result of a dispute related to a traditional levy and access to land. From this conflict emerged the "Mobondo" militia of the Yaka community. This militia is accused of having committed murders on civilians and Congolese soldiers. Curfews are sometimes imposed to organize joint patrols between the Congolese army and police.
Dido Nsapu