P-DDRCS AT THE FOREFRONT OF GLOBAL PEACEBUILDING: STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AT THE HIGH-LEVEL DDR SYMPOSIUM IN NEW YORK
New York, October 2025 — The Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Reintegration and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS) of the Democratic Republic of Congo marked a pivotal moment in its international resurgence by actively participating in the High-Level DDR Symposium held at United Nations Headquarters from October 27 to 31, 2025. This global forum convened senior policymakers, UN agencies, donors, national DDR commissions, and international experts to advance integrated strategies for peacebuilding, post-conflict reintegration, stabilization, and community resilience.
Led by Professor Jean de Dieu Désiré NTANGA NTITA, National Coordinator of the P-DDRCS, the Congolese delegation delivered a compelling presentation of the program’s achievements, challenges, and innovations. This mission reflects the strategic vision of the Head of State, His Excellency Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, who has positioned the P-DDRCS as a sovereign instrument for durable peace and national recovery. In his widely praised intervention, Professor Ntanga Ntita highlighted the unique features of the Congolese model, including the pioneering integration of mental health into DDR operations, a community-based and inclusive approach, vocational training for ex-combatants, and socio-economic reintegration with a strong focus on women and children. He reaffirmed that the P-DDRCS mandate, as defined by Presidential Ordinance No. 21/038, is exclusive and non-transferable—making it the sole entity authorized to coordinate DDRCS activities nationwide.
The National Coordinator also shared tangible progress achieved on the ground, notably the unprecedented mobilization of combatants—exceeding 160% of cumulative figures from the previous four years in just nine months—and a significant rise in female participation, from 2% in 2022 to 11% in 2025. These results reflect renewed trust between communities and the State and underscore the program’s transformative impact. “We are finally emerging from a long institutional blackout,” remarked one diplomat following the presentation, applauding the P-DDRCS’s revival and its renewed credibility on the global stage. Participation in the symposium enabled the P-DDRCS to strengthen ties with technical and financial partners, initiate bilateral cooperation frameworks, and position the program as a leading African model for post-conflict stabilization. Discussions were launched with key technical and financial partners regarding technical capacity-building and financial support to complement the Congolese government efforts undertaken led by His Excellency Judith Suminwa Tuluka. This mission, marked by high-level bilateral meetings and concrete diplomatic engagements, signals the growing international stature of the P-DDRCS.
It affirms the Congolese Government’s commitment to leveraging the program as a unique institutional and technical vehicle for peace, security, and community recovery. The P-DDRCS’s presence in New York reflects a renewed trajectory of credibility, driven by a disciplined and visionary national coordination team, fully aligned with the Head of State’s strategic direction. Through this mission, the Democratic Republic of Congo reasserts its place among nations committed to peace, and the P-DDRCS emerges as a vital actor in the global dialogue on conflict resolution and sustainable stabilization as wanted by His Excellency Félix Antoine TSHISEKEDI TSHILOMBO.
P-DDRCS Communication Unit
