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USAID/OTI DRC Field Report
October 2004
Program Description
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| Program Logo |
The Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) promotes the revitalization of war-torn communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by: increasing the number of war-affected youth who are reintegrated into their host communities; and increasing local, provincial, and national awareness of issues key to the transition process. OTI’s primary mechanism for achieving these objectives is the Synergie d'Education Communautaire et d'Appui à la transition (SE*CA, pronounced “C’est ça!”) program implemented by Chemonics. SE*CA is a community reintegration and revitalization program that incorporates basic life skills and vocational training through its Youth Education and Skills (YES) program; community-driven small grant activities; and the Transition Awareness and Participation (TAP) media program. OTI also supports Fondation Hirondelle in collaboration with the United Nations Mission in the Congo (MONUC) to increase the impact of Radio Okapi and to strengthen the professional capacity of indigenous radio stations.
Country Situation
Security – On October 15, the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) regained control of Kilwa, a city in Katanga province bordering Zambia that was previously captured by rebels led by Alain Mukwali, a soldier reportedly with the former Katangan Army. This event prompted approximately 3,000 people to flee for safety in Zambia. In addition, nearly 1,500 additional Congolese refugees, mostly Banyamulenge (Congolese Tutsis from the High Plateau region), were detained at the border post between Burundi and the DRC. The local population was reluctant to allow the refugees to return to the DRC due to suspicions of possible infiltration of non-Congolese who might later cause security problems and instability in the area. Due to interventions by MONUC and the Vice Minister of the Interior, the refugees were allowed across the border; however, tensions remain high between the returnees and non-Banyamulenge community.
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) –
The Foreign Ministers of Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC signed an accord in Kigali on October 26 that created a common security commission tasked with resolving regional security issues, namely aiding to neutralize armed militia groups in the area. In particular, this agreement targets Ugandan and Rwandan militias residing in the DRC, including extremists Hutus responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
Transitional Government –
President Kabila reinforced the reunification of the country with his first visit to Kisangani as President of the transitional government. Kabila’s selection of Kisangani as his first port of call outside of Kinshasa is significant because it was the location of several notorious battles between Rwandan, Ugandan and DRC troops and was the largest city controlled by Rassamblement Congolais pour la Democratie – Goma (RCD-Goma) between 1998 and 2003. It also has strategic commercial importance as a primary port on the quickly revitalizing Congo River.
During the month, the transitional government adopted a revised elections calendar entitled the “Road Map.” This 2005 calendar schedules local elections in April, legislative elections in June, and presidential elections in July. The same calendar also schedules the passing of roughly 15 essential laws by Parliament, including the Constitution of the Third Republic, by the end of December. Also this month, the Parliament adopted the law on the National Army that integrates the ex –Zairian Armed Forces (ex-FAZ) as well as the previous Kantangese Army into the FARDC. However, the law is not explicit on the size of the reunified army, a central issue that affects advancement of a number of key transitional issues, most notably the DDR process.
USAID/OTI Highlights
A. Narrative Summary
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| Kisangani students start class before school construction is completed. |
The supply of building materials (i.e. cement) available in Kisangani is improving as the level of the Congo River returns to normal and regular river traffic resumes. The easing of this prior constraint will ensure the finalization of several SE*CA rehabilitation projects. These delays, however, did not prohibit pupils and teachers of two SE*CA school projects from starting classes. Two weeks before the completion of the classrooms eager young students made their way by foot to the schools (many from more than five kilometers away) insisting that instruction should begin. In Ituri, several projects have commenced with the completion of procurement for the electrification of a school, a bridge rehabilitation project and an Internet center activity.
This month, OTI’s implementing partner, Chemonics, introduced the YES program into approximately 80 new communities. The first module, Health and Well-Being, was well received, as judged by close to 100% attendance rates in many communities. To date, in Kisangani, Bunia and Kindu, the Health and Well-Being module has been taught to 840 Learning Facilitators (LF). In Kisangani, the same module has been taught to approximately 4,500 participants, while in Bunia and Kindu approximately 2,350 are benefiting from the training. The second module, Revenue, is currently being taught to 240 LFs in Bunia, while in Kisangani, the Reaffirming our Values module has been taught to all 360 LFs.
Fondation Hirondelle continues to show results in support of the political transition through its primary resource, Radio Okapi, which broadcasts balanced and timely information to a large portion of the Congolese population. Exemplary broadcasts this month include:
- DDR: Radio Okapi covered efforts to integrate Mai Mai from northern Kivu into the 8th military region and the status of the disarmament process in Ituri. Radio Okapi aided in calming tensions by airing Mai Mai Commander Werrason’s appeal for calm directed at his troops.
- Conflict Management: Airing messages by the MONUC Spokesman in Uvira, Radio Okapi helped return calm to the city after tensions rose with the circulation of rumors accusing MONUC soldiers of being responsible for the death of a local girl. Also, Radio Okapi was among the first to appeal to the Mbuji Mayi’s population for calm after 23 local street children were either lynched or burned alive in early October. Pressure is being applied to the Provincial Governor of Kasai Oriental to take measures to protect street children.
- Timely Information: Radio Okapi was the first to broadcast the capture of Kilwa city in Katanga that led to the displacement of approximately 3,000 people who sought refuge in neighboring Zambia.
- The Political Transition: Radio Okapi broadcast coverage of the first visit of President Kabila to eastern DRC. As evidence of balanced reporting, Radio Okapi not only reported the warm welcome the President received but also the discontent shown by national troops who were disarmed by the Presidential Guard during the President’s stay.
Also this month, Fondation Hirondelle’s journalist trainer visited Tshikapa in the Kasai Occidental province as well as Kasongo in Maniema Province training journalists from Radio Sauti Ya Mkaaji (the only radio station in the city) on the fundamentals of journalism. In Tshikapa, Radio Okapi’s partner Kilimandjaro and seven other radios benefited from basic radio journalism training. To date, approximately 80 journalists have been trained in radio journalism.
B. October 2004 Grants Activity Summary
| Support the reintegration process between war-affected youth and their host communities. |
0 |
13 |
$646,256 |
| Reinforce awareness to foster community participation on issues key to the transitional process. |
0 |
24 |
$540,990 |
| Total |
0 |
37 |
$1,187,246 |
No new grants were signed this month to allow for further discussion on grant-giving priorities and to complete various outstanding procurement actions.
C. Indicator of Success
Over the past six months the SE*CA program has succeeded in mobilizing and rekindling hope in the war affected areas in which it works. A Master Trainer recently stated that during his work with a community, the discussion session, which had started in the local church, had to be moved out to the soccer field because the program had attracted more than 500 people wanting to take part. Due to the strong participatory process of SE*CA, some communities have nicknamed the program (in Swahili) “Wanasena na Kutenda” which means, “They Say and They Do.” Through community interaction with SE*CA, people are learning that through their own efforts and a small amount of outside help, they can improve their lives and stabilize their communities.
When the Governor of Orientale Province wanted to show President Joseph Kabila a sign of progress in Kisangani, he brought him to a SE*CA rehabilitation project, the Tshopo Market. During the President’s visit he unofficially renamed Kisangani “The City of Hope” due to all the positive advancement (including that of the Tshopo Market) the town is making, replacing its former label as the “City of Martyrs.” Additionally, impacts are being felt some kilometers outside of Kisangani in a village called Babumbilo. A teacher in the area reported that the SE*CA-supported school is helping with the reintegration of the community. With the rebuilding of the Babumbilo primary school, families are starting to return to the community and registering their children at the new school.
The YES training has become so popular that some sites have over 100 observers, including local authorities and community, church and traditional leaders. After the training on the Health and Well-Being Module, pre-natal consultations rose significantly, latrine construction began, and many households started boiling water prior to use. More importantly, participants in the training started working with other community members and leaders to establish rules to improve sanitation in their villages. Also, after training that included discussions about gender-based violence (i.e. rape as a tool for war) and other women’s issues, female participants began speaking out more about their own experiences. In a country where rape is a stigma carried by the victim, it is highly significant that these women now feel accepted enough into their communities to admit that they had been raped or abused.
D. Program Appraisal
Despite the procurement delays noted above, the program is performing well and has gained a positive reputation in the areas where it works. For example, while driving through areas where the SE*CA program is being implemented, the road often becomes a chorus of villagers who, when they see the SE*CA vehicle, give the thumbs up sign and yell “SE*CA!” In Banalia, where the bridge to access the community was impassable, the community helped the SE*CA team and voluntarily spent nine hours cutting a new route through the bush so that the SE*CA vehicle could get to their community. There are reports that members of communities that are not participating in the SE*CA program are visiting those that are to see for themselves how others are coming together and taking initiative to actively find solutions to their community problems. And, other humanitarian organizations are coming to visit project sites to see how it is that SE*CA is able to rehabilitate communities using volunteer labor.
The YES program has also been successful in reaching its target number of trainings for the past three months. Nevertheless, the lack of transportation to training sites remains a problem for Master Trainers and Learning Facilitators, especially in Maniema. The experience of one female trainer at Bayanguma, 27 kilometers north of Kisangani is not atypical. In her words, “I start walking at 6.30 am to meet my students who assemble at 8.00 am, there after, I have to walk back two hours, to feed my children and prepare for the next lesson in my village at 3.00 pm.” Considering the logistical difficulties faced by the Master Trainers and the Facilitators, it is noteworthy that they are succeeding in training to over 8,400 participants in approximately 280 war-affected communities.
Next Steps/Immediate Priorities
- The SE*CA all-staff teambuilding meeting will be held in Kisangani from November 1 to November 3. Besides regular assessment of the program, the SE*CA team will be discussing additional ways to obtain greater impact from its future activities.
- Inaugurations are scheduled in Kisangani for four SE*CA infrastructure projects: the rehabilitation of a train, a school, seven new clean water points and a market.
- A report on the future of Radio Okapi after the withdrawal of the UN mission will be completed by the end of November.
- PRN Journalist training will continue for community radios in Tshikapa and Bandundu.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C.: Bronwyn Bruton, OTI Program Manager, e-mail: bbruton@usaid.gov; telephone: (202) 712-0827
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