Militiamen of the armed group URDPC/CODECO in the village of Wadda, Ituri Province, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo on September 19, 2020. © 2020 ALEXIS HUGUET/AFP via Getty Images
Thomas Fessy
Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi recently announced the launch of a long-awaited Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization program, meant to encourage thousands of fighters from more than 100 armed groups to lay down their weapons. The country has needed an effective framework for decades, as removing guns from fighters, prosecuting those responsible for serious crimes, and reintegrating others into communities is critical to ending eastern Congo’s cycles of violence. But Tshisekedi’s appointment of former rebel leader Tommy Tambwe to coordinate the new program raises serious concerns.
Congo Promotes Ex-Rebel Leader to Top Position | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)
