Kalehe Territorial Community Radio: Highlights from Mohongoza–Katashola Dialogue
The following is a translated recording of a radio report by Fabrice Mbourane from the Kalehe Territorial Community Radio (RCTK). The report is conducted from the villages of Mongoza, Kalehe, DRC, as part of a community dialogue process supported by Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP).
It was with these joyful cheers that the people of Muhongoza and Katashola, concluded the nonviolent conflict resolution dialogue that they held over two days, from January 28 to 29, 2026, at the Protestant Church of the 3rd CEBECAC (Baptist Church community in Central Africa) in Muhongoza.
The main objective of the dialogue was to put an end to the various conflicts that had arisen between the residents of Muhongoza village and the victims of the recent natural disaster that occurred in Bushushu and Nyamukubi, who had taken refuge in the Katashola plantation in Muhongoza. These conflicts included disputes over leadership, land ownership, and competing interests.
It all began when the residents of Katashola refused to submit to the local authority and did not want to comply with local culture. These attitudes caused a high level of displeasure in residents of Muhongoza. As a result, tensions arose, and the two communities were now living as enemies. The situation became uncontrollable to such an extent that the village chief could not have a say in any matter that concerned the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Katashola. After several consultations held by the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) in Muhongoza with both communities, it was indicated that they needed a mediator who could help facilitate the dialogue. It was after these consultations that NP had to reach out to different parties with the help of the communities themselves.
As of January 28, to 29 January 2026, a dialogue was mediated by the Buhavu Chiefdom in collaboration with the Ihusi Parish and several Protestant church pastors who acted as mediators, and with the support of NP, the two conflicting parties reached an agreement and mutually forgave one another. This reconciliation took place in the presence of the village chiefs of Munanira, Bushushu, and Muhongoza, as well as numerous community leaders who had come from across the area. Following these dialogue sessions, the participants were invited to share their impressions and express their level of satisfaction with the outcomes of the discussions.
The village chief of Muhongoza, Mr. Pierre Mwini, expressed himself in these terms:
“These dialogue sessions lasted for two days and, thankfully, they concluded in a spirit of reconciliation that we believe will be lasting, as they were facilitated and led by mediators who are experts in conflict resolution and who work daily with the local population. They advised both parties involved in the conflict, and each side acknowledged its own mistakes while reconciling with the other.
We are now returning to unity, and we hope that the conflicts have come to an end. My message is one of peace for the people of Muhongoza in general, and especially for those living in Katashola. Peace, peace, and nothing but peace, because we are all children of the same father, King Mwami Shosho Ntale Kamirogosa III.”
Following the remarks of Pierre Mwini, Mr. Chance Kafunga, who represented the royal leadership of the Buhavu Chiefdom and His Majesty Shosho Ntale Franck Kamirogosa III at these proceedings, highlighted the following points:
“These dialogue sessions were aimed at restoring peace between the residents of Muhongoza and those living in the Katashola settlement area affected by the disaster. Prior to this, we had already begun consultations with the parish, as well as with the residents of Muhongoza and Katashola. We discussed the issues that were dividing them, among which we identified leadership disputes, conflicts of interest, and land-related conflicts. This led us to organize the two-day dialogue that we have just concluded today.
At the end of the discussions, we reached a compromise that was satisfactory to all parties involved, making it possible to put an end to these conflicts. What brings me great joy is that all the parties involved in the conflict acknowledged their mistakes and asked for forgiveness. The chief of Muhongoza also forgave the young people who had been challenging his authority within the community.”
As the Buhavu Chiefdom, we would like to thank our partner, Nonviolent Peaceforce for supporting us and helping facilitate this process. Today, we have achieved a positive outcome: the final signing of the agreement for the peaceful resolution of the conflicts that had opposed the residents of Muhongoza and those of Katashola. From now on, it will no longer be called the Katashola Camp; it will be known as Avenue Katashola (Katashola avenue), as it has been placed under the supervision and administration of the village chief of Muhongoza.
As we are accustomed to calling our king, Kamirogosa III Shosho Ntale Franck, by the name Murhula, which simply means ‘peace,’ we want this peace to prevail among the people of Muhongoza and Katashola, and throughout the entire population of the Buhavu Chiefdom. May these conflicts never return, especially since the parties have made their commitments before God, before the representatives of the king, and before all the chiefs of the villages concerned.
The residents of Muhongoza, as well as those of Katashola, did not hide their satisfaction. One of the participants, who is a community leader in Katashola said the following:
“I am very satisfied with the way the initiators organized this mediation activity, because in these conflicts I was both a target and an actor. I had the opportunity to express myself freely and to better understand the demands of my opponents. I still recall that the populations of Katashola and Muhongoza were living in disagreement, which was not really positive. But for now, I have already started seeing some changes, like sharing goods among us and that shows that there are already cohesion and collaboration between us. In any case, I would like to sincerely thank the organization Nonviolent Peaceforce, the chiefdom, the facilitators, particularly the priest of Ihusi Parish, and the reverend pastors from different churches who devoted their time. I am truly grateful to you all.”
I recall that the populations of Katashola and Muhongoza were living in disagreement, which was not positive. However, at present, there is already cohesion and collaboration between them. When asked what he will tell people from Katashola who did not manage to attend, he answered: ” Personally, I have been satisfied in the way the mediation was done and I will share the message of peace with my people in Katashola who did not attend.”
A female participant from Katashola also expressed herself as follows: “I am very satisfied, and I would like to thank all the authorities who came to reconcile us, because we were in great suffering. We were already afraid of the people of Muhongoza; even asking them for something was already a major concern. But today, since we have been reconciled, it is joyful and a great pleasure. I say thank you for everything, especially Father Muhini for forgiving us, because in reality we were very disrespectful toward him and toward everyone. But today he has agreed to forgive us and to consider us as his children. I say thank you very much”.
Another participant from Muhongoza explained:
“Mr. journalist, I'm very satisfied with the outcome of these 2 days dialogue, I believe this peace must be perpetuated. I am very happy to see that the conflicts between us are over. Everyone at fault asked for forgiveness, and it was granted mutually. Our territorial authorities, chiefdom, NP, ecclesiastical authorities and community leaders are as happy with the fact that when we got to the dialogue and find a solution to our differences. From now on, we are one, as inhabitants of Katashola and Muhongoza. Personally, after participating in this session, I was very pleased to have spent the session in a climate of peace that gave compromises where the people of Muhongoza just decided to live a life of collaboration with the people of Katashola. To the brothers and sisters who did not have time to participate in this session, I have only one message to tell them to live in peace. Katashola's brothers are our brothers and sisters.”
Anselme Muzalia, NP’s Area Coordinator, shared:
”NP received a request from the residents of Muhongoza and Katashola after they had identified the various conflicts that were already opposing them. As such, they approached NP asking if it could mediate between these 2 parties to find solutions to these different disputes. It is important to note that it's the communities who did everything: they designated the mediators, chose a neutral place where the dialogue could take place, offered insights which could make this process successful, and they reached compromises together. NP only accompanied them, in collaboration with the Buhavu Chiefdom. We played a facilitation role so that the local authorities could carry out this dialogue properly. NP is satisfied with this outcome.
I would like, on the other hand, to remind both Katashola and Muhongoza communities that peace is a journey and people traveling together must agree to walk in mutual understanding. We have taken the first step today and hope that both communities will continue to live in peaceful coexistence, mutual forgiveness, and love for one another. My advice to these residents is that Satan should no longer deceive them into returning to conflict, because where there is something good, evil is also present. The decision they have made today to live together in love, peace, and mutual respect must remain within them, as the parish priest also said, along with other participants, that true peace comes from the heart. They must therefore keep this in their hearts. If anyone tries once again to lead them into the mistake of conflict, they should remember that the path to peace is more beneficial than the path of violence”.
As the dialogue concluded, a compromise agreement was signed by the formerly opposing parties, the mediators, the community leaders as a sign of the end of all conflict and the restoration of lasting peace. Here is the content of the agreement: We, the undersigned,
- The population of Muhongoza, represented by its village chief, Pierre Muhini,
- The population formerly known as the disaster-affected people of Bushushu, living in Katashola within the villages of Muhongoza, represented by Mapendano Rugusha Tales, formerly known in the position of president and currently head of the Katashola avenue.
We, the mediators,
- Priest Meshack Nakuhire of the Ihusi parish,
- Reverend Manigabe Kalimira Jean-Pierre
- Reverend Pastor Timothy Magadju Galumanago of the 8el CEPAC (Pentecostal Churches community in Central Africa),
- Chance Kafunga, representative of the Buhavu’s King Kamirogosa Shosho Ntale Frank III.
- The village chiefs Juvenal Rushisha of Bushushu, Abrinto Mugona Marcel of Bushushu and Matakumba Nigabo of Munanira
hereby declare, as of the date of this agreement, the end of the conflicts related to power, interests, and land ownership, following the peace dialogue organized on our behalf by the Buhavu Chiefdom, in collaboration with the organization Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), the village chief of Munanira, Mr. Bagabo Matakumba Chamutu, as well as the village chief of Bushushu, Mr. Barhambulira Rushisha Juvénal, and community leaders from outside Muhongoza, under the mediation of Father Meshak Nabouhiri, parish priest of Ihusi, and Reverend Pastor Barali.
From now on, the inhabitants of Katashola are no longer considered disaster victims, but are instead recognized as part of the population of Muhongoza village and may now live together peacefully and freely carry out their activities. Free and peaceful access is guaranteed to the entire population of Muhongoza, including those of Katashola.
The management of the fields, apart from the portion occupied by the Katashola residents, remains under the responsibility of the plantation concession holder, represented by its managers. All members of the community may access land through sharecropping arrangements without discrimination and without any issues.
Messrs. Laoui Rouchicha Lingoma Crispin and Chobohwa Murhimbo Sabin have also agreed to put an end to their dispute in a peaceful manner, while withdrawing from any legal or judicial proceedings.
It is by reading these important documents that we conclude our report carried out in Mongoza as part of this community dialogue process, supported technically by the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP). From the villages of Mongoza, Kalehe, I am Fabrice Mbourane reporting for the Kalehe Territorial Community Radio, RCTK.