Skip to main content
Welcome to the United Nations
Language:
  • العربية
  • 中文
  • English
  • Français
  • Русский
  • Español
  • Português
  • Kiswahili
  • Other
    • Hindi हिंदी
    • Global
United Nations
UN News
Global perspective Human stories

Search the United Nations

Advanced Search
  • Home
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • UN Art and Gifts
    • History Corner
  • Topics
    • Peace and Security
    • Economic Development
    • Humanitarian Aid
    • Climate and Environment
    • Human Rights
    • UN Affairs
    • Women
    • Law and Crime Prevention
    • Health
    • Culture and Education
    • SDGs
    • Migrants and Refugees
  • In depth
    • Interviews
    • Features
    • Photo Stories
    • News in Brief
    • The Lid is On
    • UN Gender Focus
    • UN and Africa
    • UN Podcasts
  • Secretary-General
    • Spokesperson
    • All Statements
    • Selected Speeches
    • Press Encounters
    • Official Travels
  • Media
    • UN Video
    • UN Photo
    • Meeting Coverage
    • Media Accreditation
    • Webtv
  • Home
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • UN Art and Gifts
    • History Corner
  • Topics
    • Peace and Security
    • Economic Development
    • Humanitarian Aid
    • Climate and Environment
    • Human Rights
    • UN Affairs
    • Women
    • Law and Crime Prevention
    • Health
    • Culture and Education
    • SDGs
    • Migrants and Refugees
  • In depth
    • Interviews
    • Features
    • Photo Stories
    • News in Brief
    • The Lid is On
    • UN Gender Focus
    • UN and Africa
    • UN Podcasts
  • Secretary-General
    • Spokesperson
    • All Statements
    • Selected Speeches
    • Press Encounters
    • Official Travels
  • Media
    • UN Video
    • UN Photo
    • Meeting Coverage
    • Media Accreditation
    • Webtv
 

Subscribe

Audio Hub

Fabien Mwingwa, an ex-combatant who is  employed by MONUSCO in Goma, North Kivu province of DRC as Fire Safety Assistant.
UN/ Eskinder Debebe
Fabien Mwingwa, an ex-combatant who is employed by MONUSCO in Goma, North Kivu province of DRC as Fire Safety Assistant.

First Person: From taking lives to saving lives, in DR Congo

10 April 2022
Peace and Security

Fabien Mwingwa once fought as a child soldier with an armed group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Today, he has turned his life around, and works for the UN peacekeeping mission in the country as a firefighter, helping to keep local people safe.

Mr. Mwingwa was 17 when a rebel group - RCD Goma - convinced him to join its ranks, and fight against the then government of President Laurent Kabila, with promises of a life of prosperity.

He was recruited in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, and started military training in the bush. After fighting for seven years, Mr. Mwingwa, surrendered and is now an employee of the UN peacekeeping mission in DRC, (MONUSCO) as a Fire Safety Assistant.

“When I joined RCD Goma, A gloomy future was in store for me. The government was trying to impose one tribe, to rule over the entire country, and the rebel leaders promised that once we had liberated the country, we would prosper.

After recruitment, we stayed in Goma for a month and then we were sent to Rwampara military camp, located in Bunia, Ituri province. The rebel leaders realized that our parents were looking for us, and it could have been easier for them to spot us in Goma.

In 1999 the training was moved to Kisangani, before we were sent to the battlefield in Manono, Tanganyika province. The fighting was intense. We used heavy weaponry like Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs). We were very young, and some of those who survived later, had mental breakdowns.

I suffered a lot. The conditions were filthy and stinking, and we were infested with lice.

Fabien Mwingwa, an ex-combatant in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC. He surrendered in 2005 and now works as a firefighter at MONUSCO, Goma Field Office.
UN video
Fabien Mwingwa, an ex-combatant in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC. He surrendered in 2005 and now works as a firefighter at MONUSCO, Goma Field Office.

‘Please return home’

I was picked to escort our leader back to Goma, along with other fighters, and when my mother found out that I was back, she pleaded with me to stay home, as family members were saddened by what they heard I went through in the bush.

But I stayed with the group, and it wasn’t until 2004 that I decided to leave. I realized that life with armed groups did not bring the prosperity they had promised: whatever money we got, we had to give to the leadership, who did not even provide us with shelter.

The following year, I heard about the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme, run by the UN peacekeeping mission. I surrendered my weapons and uniforms, and followed all procedures, including visiting an office that verified whether or not I had indeed taken military training, or committed any crimes in the community.

I got a job as a security guard, where I received training in engineering and fire safety. When my contract ended, I secured several further short-term contracts until I was employed by MONUSCO as a Fire Safety Assistant in 2015.

I am grateful that MONUSCO has been with me since my surrender. I make a decent salary and I own a house. I am married, and am able to provide my children with a good education.

My message to young people is that they should not go fighting in the bush, as there are no benefits. I suffered, I wasted time. And to combatants, I say, please come home and learn various skills. You could be hired like me, and life is good”.

Fabien Mwingwa, an ex-combatant who is  employed by MONUSCO in Goma, North Kivu province of DRC as Fire Safety Assistant.
UN/ Eskinder Debebe
Fabien Mwingwa, an ex-combatant who is employed by MONUSCO in Goma, North Kivu province of DRC as Fire Safety Assistant.

MONUSCO’s DDR and skills training

  • The Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program has been running in DRC since 2013.
  • The aim of the initiative includes helping former combatants reintegrate peacefully into their communities after surrendering weapons and uniforms.
  • The DDR programme provided Mr. Mwingwa with income generating skills and funds to start a fuel vending business, and prepared him to live peacefully within

 

♦ Receive daily updates directly in your inbox - Subscribe here to a topic.
♦ Download the UN News app for your iOS or Android devices.
 
DRC|monusco|child soldiers|ddr|Demobilization and Reintegration

Related Stories

Jean-Nepo Mukeshimana arrives at the border of DRC and Rwanda holding his one month old baby Uwase Josiane.

After 10 years fighting in the bush - it’s time to go home

Former child soldiers are released in Yambio in South Sudan in 2018.

UN updates guidelines to ensure successful return to civilian life for former combatants

MONUSCO peacekeepers in Beni territory, North Kivu, Democratic Repbulic of the Congo.

DR Congo violence puts Ebola humanitarian response at risk, UN food relief agency warns

News Tracker: Past Stories on This Issue

A UN blue helmet from the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission stands guard as a UN helicopter delivers aid and humanitarian personnel to Rhoe IDP camp, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Nepal peacekeeper killed; UN strongly condemns attack in DR Congo

5 April 2022
Peace and Security

The UN chief on Tuesday together with the Security Council, strongly condemned an attack by suspected militia members, on peacekeepers serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which left one Nepali ‘blue helmet’ dead.

Peacekeepers escort a humanitarian convoy to the village of Pinga in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

DR Congo: UN envoy calls for strategy to address root causes of conflict

29 March 2022
Peace and Security

Amid deteriorating security in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the top UN envoy in the country has called for a comprehensive political strategy that includes measures to address the structural causes of the conflicts.

Resources

  • Navigate the News
  • Information for Broadcasters
  • UN System Links
  • Media Alert
  • UN Journal
  • Meetings Coverage
  • Audiovisual Library

Secretary-General

  • All Statements
  • Official Travels
  • Press Encounters
  • SG Twitter

Spokesperson's Office

  • Latest Statements
  • Briefing Highlights
  • Briefing Transcripts
  • Notes to Correspondents

Find Us

  • UN News App
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • RSS
  • Contact UN News
United Nations
Donate
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Soundcloud
  • Podcast
  • UN Social Media
  • A-Z Site Index
  • Copyright
  • FAQ
  • Fraud Alert
  • Privacy Notice
  • Terms of Use
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Soundcloud
  • Podcast
  • The UN on Social Media