Proposed activities and ideas aiming at engaging all actors at all levels on issues of FDLR and refugees
Public debate on the problematic of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the original French document is here ” Dialogue sur les FDR en RDC
This work is a combine effort bringing together the Collective of Youth Organizations for Solidarity COJESKI North Kivu, the New Dynamic of the Civil Society (NDSCI North Kivu) and the Solidarity of Youth in the Four Corners of the World (JS4).
Preamble
In our efforts to fight for official and international recognition of the Genocide in DRCongo since 1994 until now,
Being aware of the existence of tensions between the DRC and the States of the sub-region especially Rwanda regarding the problem of refugees found in several countries, and the need to exploit already existing solutions as well as the promotion of other innovative approaches,
Observing the lack of credible information as well as access to information by all segments of the population on refugees and other forced migrants in several countries, and in particular information on the FDLR, Rwandan refugees are found in the DRC as well as Congolese Refugees found in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and other countries,
Recognizing the role and contribution of Civil Society as well as the entire population at all levels to participate in all peace processes in the DR Congo and in the Great Lakes sub-region,
In memory of the Commemoration of the Genocide in Rwanda of 1994, the consequences of which continue to reverberate on the population of the Democratic Republic of Congo, we intend to organize a public debate on this question of the FDLR on Congolese soil.
Introduction
More than 30 years later, the Congolese population should no longer continue to consider themselves not concerned, or consider themselves only victims of this situation. So it is time that the Congolese population, especially the host communities, can play a role in the search for solutions. This comes down to education and access to information to help stakeholders make informed decisions.
Under the Theme: The FDLR a myth or a reality in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The FDLR are accused of several crimes against the Congolese populations since 1994 until now but nothing is filtered on the crimes committed against Rwandan refugees who are said to be in areas controlled by the FDLR, at the same time we cannot find enough information on the crimes committed against the FDLR by the Congolese populations. For Rwanda, the FDLR is a negative force that has committed acts of genocide, and is a threat to the security of Rwanda and others argue for the sub-region, on the other hand we do not have enough information about crimes committed by Rwanda to Rwandan refugees in DRCongo.
It is time to evaluate the results of this Rwandan policy of Criminalization of Rwandan refugees who are in several countries around the world and advocate for a change in approach. Such beliefs have never been tested and are not held by everyone. And unfortunately the opportunities to exchange with long-term parties at all levels remain limited.
Some people argue that the FDLR who are accused of all crimes against humanity have never had the space to defend themselves and assert their cause but also differences would exist even on the definition of who the FDLR are. Some Rwandan refugees in the DRC have another way of seeing things and this seems to differ from the European Union, the African Union, certain Embassies in Kinshasa, the United Nations especially MONUSCO and UNHCR, as well as other actors.
We think that it would then be time to create opportunities that give the FDLR chances to speak with the Congolese population, to speak to other Rwandan refugees, to speak to Rwanda and to speak to the International Community at the same time about spaces for these different actors to exchange with the FDRL, so our debates can focus on the confrontation of ideas to reduce crimes. Likewise, we will create spaces for exchanges between populations in each country and refugees in different countries, starting with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The presence of the FDLR in the DRC constitutes one of the official causes of the Rwandan Government to justify its various military interventions on Congolese territory since 1996 until now. The presence of Congolese refugees in Rwanda as well as Rwandan refugees in the DRC would also be the other reason, and the protection of the ethnic minority would be another reason.
Recently the Congolese Government warned against any military officer who would collaborate with the FDLR especially in the East of the DRC, and the International Community continues to issue press releases on the recommendation to cease all support for the FDLR as a solution to the security crisis in the East of the DRC.
With the negotiations between the DRC and Rwanda, the situation of the FDLR seems to be included on the agenda.
In response to this situation, regional and international actors have proposed the repatriation of the FDLR and other Rwandan refugees to the DRC since 1994, but after years some people continue to denounce this policy of criminalization of the FDLR. The identity of the FDLR and the goal of their struggle still pose problems and deserve a common understanding of all actors at each level.
Given that the FDLR constitute a problem, we propose to initiate exchanges, dialogues and discussions, a debate which can put everyone on the same table for common solutions at each level. We think that a consensus is possible, we think that real information on the FDLR can be accessible and finally help us decide for a definitive solution.
Thus our discussions can include all stakeholders and no one will be left behind, the Congolese populations, Rwandan Refugees and other refugees, representatives of the FDLR, the Congolese Government, Civil Society Actors, Peace Researchers in the DRC, the Rwandan Government if possible, MONUSCO, ICGLR, Humanitarian Organizations as well as others,
Goals
Harmonize and form a consensus of information on the FDLR in the DRC with real information, finally to combat the myth, and also make credible information on refugees in the sub-region accessible to everyone,
Propose appropriate solutions to definitively resolve the FDLR problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo, promote sustainable solutions for refugees and other innovations for the well-being of refugees in the sub-region,
Carry out advocacy actions at each level for definitive solutions appropriate to each level, and promote peaceful cohabitation activities by combating false information and hate speech between refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and other forms of Forced Migrants in the sub-region,
Advocate for the implementation of solutions at each local, provincial, national, sub-regional, continental and international level, by making each actor aware of playing their part of responsibility,
Reduce the underlying causes of community tensions and strengthen peaceful cohabitation, review the errors in our history, and take responsibility at each level,
Results
Reduction of tensions between the DRC and Rwanda and promoting good relations between the two countries,
Promotion of refugee protection and appropriate solutions for each refugee situation,
Promotion of the strengthening of the Congolese State in areas under the control of armed groups,
Free movement of people and their goods in areas where we have activities,
Provide credible information to the population and all stakeholders on the different situations of refugees and other forced migrants in the DRC and the sub-region,
The targets
Local populations in areas where refugees, FDLR and other armed groups live, refugees and other forced migrants, Civil Society actors, security services, humanitarian organizations, members of governments, UN Agencies United Nations, and Diplomatic Missions among many others,
Activities
Information exchanges, stakeholder connection activities, information dissemination and information sharing, knowledge exchanges, among many others.
Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos
Provincial Codonator of COJESKI North Kivu
Tel: +243853191163
Email: cojeskinordkivu@gmail.com
Website: www.cojeskinordkivu.org
