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Joint activities such as soccer helped improve relations between Bantu and Twa youth in Tanganyika, DRC.
Joint activities such as soccer helped improve relations between Bantu and Twa youth in Tanganyika, DRC.

Sharing spaces, shaping peace

Uniting communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

For years, the Democratic Republic of the Congo¡¯s (DRC) Tanganyika province has been defined by insecurity. An absence of functioning state institutions and frequent clashes among armed groups left the region vulnerable. 

Beneath the surface of the violence lay deep-seated grievances: competition over land, scarce resources, and high unemployment. The daily tensions steadily eroded trust, fueling intense inter-ethnic clashes between the region¡¯s Bantu and Twa communities.

Backed by the UN Peacebuilding Fund, a coalition of UN agencies and local partners launched an initiative to tackle the root causes of the violence. The initiative was designed not just to stop the fighting, but to foster a sustainable, peace-positive relationship between the Twa and Bantu people through economic revitalization, improved governance, the rule of law, and grassroots conflict resolution.

Photo above: Joint activities such as soccer helped improve relations between Bantu and Twa youth in Tanganyika, DRC. Credit: UN DPPA/PBSO
Bantu and Twa communities work together in the farming cooperatives.
Bantu and Twa communities work together in the farming cooperatives. Credit: UN Peacebuilding

The Power of the ¡®Baraza¡¯

Peace cannot be imposed; it must be built locally. The peacebuilding initiative established conflict prevention mechanisms across the community, territorial, and provincial levels. 

At the heart of it were local peace committees known as Barazas. These community-led forums provided a safe space where Bantu and Twa members could come together to address rumors and violence with structured dialogue and mediation.

In the beginning, the people were skeptical of the idea of Twa and Bantu working together. But when they saw that it was working, more members from the community wanted to join." 

Congolese peacebuilder participating in the initiative
Women take part in local socio-economic decision-making.
Women take part in local socio-economic decision-making. Credit: UN Peacebuilding

Those who bring peace

Historically sidelined from civic life, youth and women became the engine of the transition to dialogue and peace. Through targeted literacy and leadership training, over 300 women and girls, alongside 200 young men¡ªsome former militia members¡ªgained skills in advocacy and mediation.

Empowered to lead, they began hosting local radio programmes to promote unity. Today, the community calls them Wa Leta Amani¡ªthose who bring peace.

Photo above: Farmers from Twa and Bantu communities gain equitable access to farming activities.

Building solutions together

Economic survival often drives division, but it can also forge alliances. Through Dimitra Clubs supported by the peacebuilding initiative, 600 farmers and 1,000 women received training in marketable skills like agriculture, herding, and soap-making.

To cement peaceful coexistence, the peacebuilding initiative invested heavily in basic infrastructure, including the newly built Mulongoy primary school in Miketo, which now educates over 500 Bantu and Twa students.

Photo above: Farmers from Twa and Bantu communities gain equitable access to farming activities. Credit: UN Peacebuilding

Before, Twa children would sit on one side, Bantu on the other. Now, they share desks. The construction of the school has helped us ensure peaceful coexistence and reunite the two communities without discrimination." 

Muteba Benoit, Director of a school in Tanganyika province

Leveling the playing field

Reconciliation often happens outside the classroom. Behind the new school, a soccer field has become an unlikely ground for peace.

Before the project, we weren¡¯t even able to play soccer together; we couldn¡¯t agree on the rules and results. Now, with the mixed teams, doing sports together actually helps improve relationships." 

Young player from the Twa community
Health care workers at the maternity clinic in Miketo, Tanganyika.
Health care workers at the maternity clinic in Miketo, Tanganyika. Credit: UN Peacebuilding

Healing and protecting Women

Conflict disproportionately impacts women, and the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) severely limits their socio-economic development. In response, under the peacebuilding initiative, 34 Village Protection Committees were established to lead dialogues on SGBV prevention.

A newly constructed maternity clinic in Miketo now offers free midwifery services to all women, ensuring that both Twa and Bantu mothers have a safe, supportive environment to receive care and heal from violence.

Women at the newly constructed maternity clinic in Miketo.
Women at the newly constructed maternity clinic in Miketo. Credit: UN Peacebuilding

Accountability and justice

For peace to last, grievances must be met with justice. The initiative ensured that survivors of SGBV were not left to fight alone. Over 500 women participated in a three-month mentoring programme, and 174 survivors received legal support. Real accountability was made possible¡ªover 160 cases were taken to court, resulting in 128 rulings and 91 convictions.

Our partners in peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

For 20 years, the UN Secretary-General¡¯s Peacebuilding Fund has empowered people to rebuild their communities and countries in the aftermath of conflict and crisis, working with them to build the resilience needed to prevent the recurrence of violence and secure lasting peace.

In the DRC, an investment in peacebuilding¡ªled by the the , the , and , as well as local authorities and organizations¡ªmeant empowering locals to resolve their own disputes, resulting in a tangible drop in intercommunal conflicts.

UN Peacebuilding initiatives are made possible by the generous contributions of Member States and the indispensable support of implementing partners, including UN agencies and local organizations.