Back in Kagaba

We recently found a window of opportunity to continue the development of our work in a community that has seen much violence and conflict in recent times. Kagaba is home to one of three communities we have selected to work closely with because of its connection to intercommunity conflict and violence. Working in Kagaba has proven to be a huge challenge for us since starting the Ituri Project in September due to the insecurity in the area caused by militia and rebel groups. We were unable to return to Kagaba immediately following our first visit in September because a militia group camped out in the bush moved into the community to pillage and reclaim the buried body of a spiritual leader.  Last week, we saw an opportunity to get back into Kagaba and we decided to take it.

We were greeted with great big smiling faces and a visible eagerness to pick-up right where we had left off in September. This welcome was a comforting assurance that we needed to be there. Deciding to return to Kagaba, however, was not an easy process as we had much to weigh and consider. The thought of working in an area frequented by militia and rebel groups is both daunting and scary. In making this decision, specific questions arose such as: Will the militia/rebels return? Will we be safe? How can we work in an environment wherein insecurity reigns? As we closely followed any news coming out of Kagaba over the past three months we were periodically reminded of the importance of getting back there. Conversations with our project committees in Vilo and Bogoro, local officials, UN workers, and expatriates/missionaries all seemed to be encouraging us to go back to Kagaba as their inclusion is essential to any meaningful reconciliation efforts.

As questions concerning our safety filled our heads we were presented with a possibility. We were offered a military escort. What a dilemma! Could we effectively talk about peace education while being accompanied by a military escort? What if this was our only chance to get back to Kagaba? We were also well informed of continued intercommunity violence between Kagaba and Bogoro as graphic stories were shared about the latest attacks. In addition to this, pressure increased about the need for the government to step in and bring security to the area between these two communities. Given this context, a military escort seemed like a very smart and prudent way for us to return to Kagaba.

We decided that despite the insecurity, despite our fears of not knowing when and where the militia would show up next, despite the possible need for governmental intervention, and despite the continuation of intercommunity violence, we would return to Kagaba because we are needed there.  This decision comes with a challenge and responsibility, namely, what can a small group of individuals do to transform this culture of war and violence into a culture of peace and non-violence? We have hit the ground running as we facilitated our first peace education seminar in Kagaba and played in a community soccer match, which saw many community members coming together in support of the big game. We are excited and interested to see that which can be achieved in working towards reconciliation with our good friends from Kagaba.