AWARENESS SESSIONS FOR THE POPULATION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND CERTIFICATION IN KIRUNDO COMMUNE

One cannot say how important it is to know that the land you are exploiting really belongs to you. In its interventions, APDH is always pleased that the population is increasingly aware of the importance of certifying their land within the communal land service. The commune of Kirundo is one of the communes in this province to have a communal land service, which will soon be operational. Since its creation by a deliberation of the commune council, APDH, through its project “Projet d’Appui à la Gestion Foncière”, has always provided technical support and advice to the community.

The community sensitizations accompanied by APDH are normally in line with this collaboration and support. The session took place from June 16 to 18 and June 23 to 24, 2021, in 29 local areas of the commune and will contribute to a good understanding and knowledge of the importance of land certification. As a result, land conflicts will be greatly reduced and social cohesion within the communities through certification of their land properties will be improved.

During their stay in all these areas, APDH agents in collaboration with the commune's staff, were able to notice that the majority of the population was not yet aware of the existence of this service nor of the modes of acquisition of land property and the importance of certifying them.

After each session, with the help of APDH agents and commune staff, the population proceeded to the election of the members of the “CRCs” (comités de reconnaissance collinaires) who will assist the commune staff in the recognition of land properties in the local areas.

This activity was much appreciated by the population given the fact that the steps to certify their land were understood and are not on a demanding level.

In many areas, women responded massively and generally showed an interest in knowing their share of responsibility in the management of land properties, especially those acquired by purchase, as well as their certification. In addition, it is noticeable that they presented themselves as candidates to the election because, as they say, "being part of these committees will allow them to closely monitor activities related to the securing of land ownership for families for which they are co-responsible.

During this activity, APDH's observation is remarkably satisfying. The population understands that with the land certification, the land conflicts that are manifested in the community will largely diminish while claiming their progressive disappearance.