Democratic Republic
of Congo
Context
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been plagued by fragility for decades, marked by political instability, conflict, and human rights abuses. The political situation in DRC remained fragile during 2022. In March, DRC joined the EAC, aiming to find sub-regional solutions to the armed conflicts in the east of the country. However, in June, M23 forces returned to the Rutshuru territory in North Kivu, sparking demonstrations in the city of Goma and pressure on MONUSCO, which has so far not been able to push back the M23 forces. The DRC government condemned Rwanda for its military support to M23, which has further escalated the tension and mistrust between both countries. The conflicts between these militias and the government forces continued to cause massive displacement of the population, despite the State of Siege that was declared in May 2021. In response to the complex and volatile political situation, the Congolese government adopted the military programming law, and the national defence policy. Meanwhile, the space for civil society to operate in this fragile political setting remains very restricted. The elections planned for 2023 offer new opportunities for the Alliance to lobby and advocate for inclusive processes.
Regions
The Just Future Alliance and its local partners are active in 3 provinces: Ituri, South Kivu, North Kivu, with advocacy actions in Kinshasa.
Activities in 2022
Improving security at the grassroots level by educating and empowering community-based organizations to speak up about security issues, advocating for better support and funding for local security committees, building the capacity of civil society organizations to influence national security processes.
JF partners have helped victims to organize to benefit from Law No. 22/065 on the protection and compensation of victims of mass crimes. The working group on the law protecting human rights defenders in DRC, of which the Alliance is a member, contributed to the bill on the protection and responsibilities of Human Rights Defenders. The bill was adopted by the National Assembly. JF partners continue to push for a Land Law in the context of Land Law reform.
JF partners supported CBOs to engage in advocacy and work together, and contributed to the adoption of DRC’s first National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS).
OUTCOMES
- State security institutions collaborate with communities in conflict zones, consult with the most excluded constituencies, and develop a mechanism of accountability better service
- Primary stakeholders’ capacities are strengthened, and they take ownership of local and regional security governance mechanisms
- Needs and aspirations of communities are addressed by security governance actors, which adopt measures to include most excluded constituencies in the decision-making bodies of the security apparatus
- Create communication channels between key security actors and communities
- Strengthen capacities of communities and CSOs on lobbying & advocacy, monitoring, evaluation
- National and regional lobby & advocacy
- Technical support
- Training of security actors on human rights standards
- Supporting media for greater transparency and accountability
- Access to justice services for the most excluded constituencies improved
- Collaboration and coordination between statutory and customary justice actors strengthened
- Primary stakeholders equipped to advocate for the inclusion of most excluded constituencies
- Promote and strengthen the exchange between various justice actors
- Support local CSOs, community leaders and local authorities to promote the application of formal justice for conflict resolution
- Technical support to judicial institutions on reforms and policies to improve accountability
- Training justice actors (customary, statutory and religious) to comply with human rights standards
- Support creation of community accountability systems
- Strengthen capacities of communities and CSOs on lobbying & advocacy, monitoring, evaluation
- Supporting media for greater transparency and accountability
- Create relationships with international organizations for international advocacy
- Facilitate access of rural communities to courts and legal services (transport, mobile courts)
- Primary stakeholders equipped to advocate for the inclusion of most excluded constituencies
- Local, regional and national actors implement ratified national, regional and international commitments on inclusion
- Most excluded constituencies, local and national authorities access consultative spaces to facilitate and monitor inclusion
- Primary stakeholders are sensitized about rights of most excluded constituencies, processes of inclusion and involved in advocacy and influencing actions
- Sharing lessons learned for sustainability of achievements
- Strengthen capacity of youth and women’s associations
- Establish networks of young mediators to participate in political decision-making
- Support mentoring initiatives to bring young people and adults together
- Use media to engage in dialogue with young people