Since 2005, Community Action For Integral Development in Fizi (ACODIF) has been working in the territory of Fizi, DR Congo, in order to help the local population - a people impoverished by a decade of war and local conflict who are beginning to rebuild their lives. ACODIF trains its members, mostly young men and women, to help people find ways of breaking the cycle of violence in the country. They provide direct conflict resolution between parties in disagreement, as well as Human Rights & Development services. The only funds it currently receives are contributions from its members.
Land Conflict Resolution in Swima
In the town of Swima, ACODIF intervened in a conflict over land between two groups. One group had fled the war, spending 13 years in the refugee camps in Tanzania, finding on their return to Swima themselves pushed off the land they had previously shared with those who stayed. Fighting broke out between the groups, which local authorities were unable to stop.
ACODIF first met with local ethnic and religious leaders, in order to take the time to really understand the conflict before making any intervention. Meetings were then held with each group separately, before a final series of meetings in which the conflicting groups were brought together, leading to the two sides agreeing to share the land.
Sango Shila, Director, ACODIF
