In November and December 2009, UN-HABITAT conducted a joint campaign on land conflict prevention and resolution within territories in North Kivu (Masisi and Rutshuru). The campaign was conducted in partnership with the Provincial Minister of Land Affairs in North Kivu, the National Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, MONUC, NRC and “Aide et Action pour la Paix”. The idea was to inform local communities and leaders on the need to prevent and discuss land conflicts so as to consolidate the peace process in Eastern Congo. The role of customary and traditional authorities was outlined as first instances of land conflict mitigation. Workshops in Kitshanga, Kiwanja and Sake gave traditional leaders the opportunity to comment on strategies for resolving land conflict, such as the Land Mediation Program set forth by UN-HABITAT. The campaign was conducted among traditional leaders, local administration officials, internally displaced people, returning exiles, civil society organizations, the judiciary and the “Forces Armees de la RDC”. The campaign will continue in Ituri in December.
