IN ARU, PEACE TAKES ROOT THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
From November 5 to 6, 2025, the territory of Aru in Ituri Province hosted a pivotal event in the national stabilization process: the official establishment of the Local Peace and DDRCS Support Coordination Framework (CCPAP). Held within the framework of a capacity-building workshop focused on the National Strategy of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery, and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS), the gathering brought together local authorities, community leaders, state services, and civil society actors to lay the foundations for a sustainable and locally driven peace mechanism.
The first day of the workshop focused on presenting the core elements of the national strategy and fostering a shared understanding of the program’s objectives. Participants actively engaged in discussions around the challenges and opportunities related to local ownership of the P-DDRCS. On the second day, attention shifted to the operationalization of the CCPAP. Proceedings began with a summary of the previous day, delivered by Giovanni Lileko Nguwa, Head of Studies and Documentation for P-DDRCS/Aru, followed by a Q&A session and a training module facilitated by Nestor Balombo and Fidèle Dramani on the structure, mandate, and responsibilities of the CCPAP and its members. The session culminated in the democratic election of members to the five thematic commissions, the validation of results, and the signing of the official minutes.
The formal launch of the CCPAP was marked by a symbolic accreditation ceremony and a keynote address from the Acting Provincial Coordinator’s Delegate, underscoring the importance of institutional legitimacy. The closing ceremony, led by the Police Administrator of the Territory of Aru, reaffirmed the unwavering support of local authorities for the P-DDRCS. In his remarks, he urged CCPAP members to embody the framework as a living mechanism for inclusive dialogue, civic oversight, and grassroots peacebuilding. His message reflected the essence of the P-DDRCS: to foster peace rooted in the lived realities of communities, aligned with their aspirations, and driven by the collective energy of local actors.
The workshop concluded in a spirit of solidarity, commitment, and shared responsibility. It laid a solid foundation for community anchoring of the program, emphasizing co-ownership and participatory implementation. In Aru, peace is not simply proclaimed — it is built, nurtured, and sustained through community leadership and local action.
P-DDRCS Communication Unit
