Building peace and improving lives in DRC’s Malemba village

Since 2016, the north of Tanganyika Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been affected by insecurity. Fueled by armed groups and militias fighting for control of mining areas, the situation has deeply impacted local communities, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced. Many other people were killed, homes and fields were destroyed and children were recruited to fight. 

Through the USAID-funded Tanganyika Conflict Mitigation and Reconciliation project, or TCMR, Pact has helped communities build resilience to face the many consequences of conflict, including trauma, poverty and broken down social infrastructure. 

With a view to empowering communities, the TCMR project has taken a comprehensive approach that addresses both urgent and long-term economic and climatic shocks and their associated stressors, thereby contributing to sustainable development.  

Malemba village, in Nyunzu Territory, includes more than 400 households that have been deeply affected by inter-community conflict. In response, TCMR is helping to restore peace, strengthen social cohesion and improve living conditions. 

One of TCMR's first initiatives was the combined distribution of food and seeds to vulnerable families. This aid has been crucial for recipients, who have been able to diversify their sources of income and improve their food security. Community members received training in modern farming techniques, which led to increased yields.

For Mukalay Jean, a 35-year-old farmer, support from Pact, in the form of maize seed, beans, groundnuts and cassava cuttings, marked the start of a new era. With the harvested produce, he not only feeds his family but also sells the surplus on the local market. The income enables him to invest in his four children's education, giving them opportunities he never had. 

“Thanks to the seeds I received and the training and guidance provided by Pact, I was able to multiply my harvests by three. It has changed my life,” he says. 

A mill makes a difference
The installation of a mill in the village has also had a significant impact. Before, residents had to travel long distances to grind their maize, a task that was not only tedious but also costly. Now farmers can grind their maize and manioc locally, considerably improving efficiency. 

“Now we have more time to work in our fields, and our harvests are better,” says Feza Ngoy, a mother of five. ‘It's a first since the creation of the world to see a mill installed in our village. It's truly miraculous what we're experiencing.”  

The project has offered literacy courses to men and women through WORTH groups. In addition, Malemba’s school has never had a secondary cycle, but thanks to revenue generated by the mill, a secondary cycle was added. 

Diversifying incomes with beekeeping and livestock
Communities also received small livestock, including goats, chickens, ducks and guinea pigs, which enabled them to boost their food security and income. Mwamba Asina, a mother of four, received five hens. She bred them to eventually have more than 50, and sells them to support her family. In addition, beekeeping training has enabled communities to produce and sell a highly prized product on the local market.  

Social cohesion builds
In addition to economic interventions, the project has implemented activities to strengthen social cohesion between the Twa and Bantu communities of Malemba. Workshops, dialogues and inter-community events have enabled the Twa and Bantu to share their experiences and work together for the wellbeing of the village. 

Village Chief Mwamba Mafuta Lotis, age 54 and a father of 7, is a respected leader and influential member of the Malemba peace committee, one of the structures set up by TCMR. In a moving speech, he said, “Before the arrival of the TCMR project, our communities were divided by mistrust and conflict. Today, thanks to various initiatives, including bridge-building activities, we are working together toward a common goal. By sharing resources and knowledge, our children can grow up in an environment of peace and mutual tolerance.”

This dynamic has not only strengthened ties between communities but has also created a model of peaceful cohabitation for future generations. 

“In my village, Twa and Bantu live together, and to reinforce this spirit of solidarity, I give houses to Twa who come from elsewhere and wish to live in Malemba,” the chief explains. “Peace is really becoming a reality here.”

The village has seen its living conditions improve, and residents have renewed their bonds of solidarity. They say the project has helped them to overcome inter-community divisions, fostering an environment of collaboration and coexistence.

The USAID-funded Tanganyika Conflict Mitigation and Reconciliation project supports more than 22,000 people across five territories in Tanganyika, with the objectives of integrating conflict mitigation, stabilization and social cohesion measures; strengthening the rural economy for equitable and sustainable agricultural growth; identifying, supporting and integrating approaches that mitigate environmental shocks and stresses; and increasing the availability of and access to basic social services to build resilience.