TOWARD LASTING PEACE: P-DDRCS CALLS FOR STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT WITH NATIONAL AND LOCAL PRIORITIES
Kalemie, October 8, 2025 – At a high-level briefing held at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Kalemie, the National Coordinator of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS), Professor Jean de Dieu Désiré Ntanga Ntita, called for stronger strategic alignment among all partners around national and local priorities in the implementation of reintegration and socio-economic recovery projects in Tanganyika Province.
The meeting brought together representatives of major donor agencies, UN entities, and technical and financial partners active in Tanganyika. The objective was to present clear updates on the progress of ongoing projects and to reinforce a shared strategic direction that ensures coherence, accountability, and ownership in the country’s peacebuilding and recovery efforts.
In his remarks, Professor Ntanga Ntita commended the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and other international partners for their continued engagement in supporting the P-DDRCS, particularly in advancing community stabilization, social cohesion, and the reintegration of former combatants. He emphasized that these efforts directly contribute to sustainable peace and local development in post-conflict areas, consistent with the vision of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo for national unity and inclusive growth.
The National Coordinator reiterated that the P-DDRCS operates under a clear presidential directive to strengthen synergies with the Local Development Program for the 145 Territories (PDL-145T)—a cornerstone of the government’s socio-economic recovery strategy. The integration of these two flagship frameworks is designed to deliver a coherent and sustainable response to the intertwined challenges of recovery, reconstruction, and resilience in fragile zones, as part of the DRC’s eligibility for the PBF 2025–2030 funding cycle.
Participants at the briefing also highlighted the proactive leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, Bruno Lemarquis, whose decentralization of the UN Country Teams to provincial levels has enhanced field coordination, improved program alignment, and deepened engagement with local authorities. This approach, they noted, strengthens national ownership and ensures that international support translates into tangible, lasting results on the ground.
The session further explored key cross-cutting priorities, including gender equality, youth engagement, and institutional collaboration across sectors. Attendees underscored the importance of a shared governance model, where reintegration projects align not only with local development plans but also benefit from the technical expertise and resources of international partners.
Concluding the meeting, the Peacebuilding Fund reaffirmed its commitment to support the Congolese government’s priorities—particularly through the P-DDRCS and the PDL-145T—as central pillars of the DRC’s transformation and stabilization agenda in post-conflict territories.
This moment of dialogue and coordination reaffirmed the vital importance of continuous consultation between the Congolese government and its partners, as they work collectively to build integrated, realistic, and sustainable solutions for peace, security, and development in Tanganyika and beyond.
P-DDRCS– Communication Unit
