Football for Peace

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, regional and national conflicts, inter-community rivalries, degradation of natural resources and natural disasters, have resulted in high numbers of internally displaced people: nationwide, there are 4.5 million internally displaced people, around 800 000 people in South Kivu are internally displaced, including more than 100,000 in the territory of Uvira (OCHA, March 2021) and 800,000 in the area of Itombwe, in ​​Mikenge and Kipupu highlands. In this region, generalized violence has created insecurity in all areas of life for the population. The number of violent attacks by armed groups against internally displaced persons is increasing every month and year. Future prospects and skills for peaceful cohabitation are lacking. The trauma suffered by the population makes it difficult to participate successfully and continuously in educational measures.

These wars and conflicts are gradually transformed into a war of a tribal nature between the communities, which means that young girls and boys are used in this violence and associated with armed forces and groups. 60 percent of young people of different ethnicities in the region are used by these armed groups during attacks and clashes and who commit acts of violence and attacks against schools, homes, killings of peaceful civilians, looting of large and small cattle, and burn down houses.

These armed groups rape and sexually assault girls and women. Schools are closed, thousands of students are in the streets, most of them have allied themselves in the illegal activities of armed groups and other young boys engage in delinquency, commonly called "maibobo" in public places such Maendeleo market, Zairean soko or Kalimabenge market. In main streets like Uvira Avenue, you will find these young maibobo composed mostly of displaced young people extorting the goods of peaceful citizens, while others are engaged in the consumption of local alcoholic beverage, called in Kiswahili "Bipande", causing major cause of fights and disturbance of public order, thus creating a climate of mistrust between host families and the displaced on the one hand and on the other hand between the displaced themselves.

Some girls between the ages of 13 and 16 have had unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) and the rest are exposed to sexual violence on a daily basis. The life of the communities is characterized by hate speech, mistrust, and tribalism. Young people are extremely vulnerable as they are often the target of armed groups and government forces. The cycle of conflict and war is generated by hate speech and mistrust which increases tensions and speculation, which can lead to tribal wars and ultimately civil war among young people. It therefore requires putting in place actions for peace, education, health and community development through regular football so that the communities find a normal life of cohabitation in the regions and throughout the country.

Download the original project description (French) here: Projet fooball pour la paix