Interview with Paul Goma, sub-prefect of Mindouli

Through its High Commission for the Reinsertion of Former Combatants, the government of the Republic of Congo has begun conducting awareness campaigns in different departments of the country, prior to the launch later this year of a national Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reinsertion (DDR) programme, which the World Bank is funding at a cost of US $17 million. The funding will facilitate the DDR process for at least 30,000 ex-combatants who fought in civil wars across the country. When it becomes operational, this DDR process will focus on the southern Pool Department, which experienced a series of civil wars between 1998 and 2002. These hostilities began in Mindouli, a sub-prefecture 140km south of the capital, Brazzaville. Before the fighting, Mindouli - with its 34 villages - was one of the most populated areas in the country, with 70,000 inhabitants. Today, barely 25,000 people have returned to their homes. On 28 May, IRIN interviewed Paul Goma, the sub-prefect of Mindouli, on the planned DDR programme. Below are excerpts of that interview: QUESTION: How many former combatants are awaiting disarmament and reinsertion in Mindouli? ANSWER: There are hundreds and hundreds. I cannot give you an exact figure for the moment, but there are many. Q: According to the High Commission for the Reinsertion of Former Combatants, authorities in Mindouli have given some conditions for the reinsertion of former combatants. Exactly what are these conditions? A: This is false information used to sway [public] opinion. There is no problem in the Mindouli District, contrary to what people say. Peace is making its way. An NGO has just held a public meeting in Mindouli, which brought together people of all ages. We are often surprised to hear that there is no peace, that people cannot move freely and work. Let me tell you that we live in security here. And all the security services are present: police, gendarmeries, elements of the Special Unit Commanders and those of the field surveillance, as well as the Congolese Armed Forces. Q: Have the ex-combatants in Mindouli expressed a desire to be reintegrated into society? A: For them reinsertion is a need. It is a question that we are often asked. I can confirm that the will is there. But one thing is for sure: These young people still lack the necessary information. We [local authorities] have just participated in a seminar to raise awareness and have just set up a department committee in charge of this campaign. It is our mission, therefore, to start an awareness-raising and information campaign for the former combatants. Q: How do you judge the behaviour of the same youths who took part in the civil wars? A: They are progressively resuming a normal life. Most of the associations today are composed of the youth. In this locality, they are participating in small, income-generating activities. They have even organised themselves into a football team to prove that they have totally finished with war. Q: What are you asking of the authorities in charge of the DDR activities? A: I think the authorities have to apply to the letter what has been scheduled. They have to organise – constantly - information and sensitisation missions for the ex-combatants. In addition, Mindouli is a big district; it should have its own DDR office.