DR Congo: Disarmament program workers accuse authorities of more than a year's worth of unpaid wages in Ituri

DR Congo: Disarmament program workers accuse authorities of more than a year’s worth of unpaid wages in Ituri

Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization (P-DDRCS) program workers and managers in Ituri have taken a stand to demand payment of 38 months of unpaid wages. This demand was made following a videoconference meeting held on Friday, 9 January 2026, hosted in Kinshasa by the program’s national coordinator, Professor Ntanga Tita.

Speaking on behalf of the agents, Christophe Adubango, union representative of the provincial coordination of P-DDRCS Ituri and second respondent of the awareness section, denounced the extreme precariousness in which the workers have been living for more than three years.

“Our priority remains the payment of 38 months of unpaid wages above all else. We have been extremely patient. We did not even celebrate the 2025 end-of-year holidays, while in several public services, employees received support from their employers. Our children are falling ill without access to medical care due to lack of funds, yet we are active and punctual at work. We refuse any maneuver aimed at sending employees on technical leave without clearing the arrears,” he said.

Created in July 2021 by President Félix Tshisekedi, this is the fourth program of its kind in the country, aimed at promoting peace and stability in conflict-affected areas. 

During this communication, the national coordinator of the P-DDRCS outlined the financial difficulties facing the program. According to Professor Ntanga Tita, out of a total of 507 agents registered across the DRC, only 141 positions are currently budgeted, banked and regularly paid. More than 360 agents therefore remain without stable remuneration.

In Ituri in particular, the situation is considered critical: only 22 agents have bank accounts, while 140 others have been working without pay for several months or even years, plunging many families into deep social distress.

Created in 2021 and placed under the presidency of the republic, unlike other previous programs, the PDDRCS is struggling to disarm these combatants due to a lack of resources. Several partners have withdrawn due to opaque management of funds.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma