In response to escalating violence, the Congolese Churches have introduced the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region,” aiming to unite citizens and leaders to end conflict. The roadmap outlines five principles for achieving peace and emphasizes the restoration of traditional values. A national Charter for peace will be developed through thematic commissions, dependent on communal support for success.
In light of escalating violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the broader Great Lakes region, the Congolese Catholic and Protestant Churches have launched a new peace initiative. This initiative, represented by the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), aims to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis and decades of conflict that have affected the region.
Titled “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region,” the roadmap aims to unite citizens, religious communities, and political leaders in the goal of ending violence and promoting peaceful coexistence. The plan was introduced at a press conference in Kinshasa by Monsignor Donatien Nshole and Reverend Eric Nsenga, highlighting the Pact’s foundation upon calls for comprehensive mobilization towards enduring regional stability.
The DRC’s eastern provinces have been marred by militia violence for over thirty years, culminating in severe insecurity and displacement of people. In 2022, a resurgence of conflict following an offensive led by the allegedly Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement led to unprecedented turmoil, significantly affecting human rights and resulting in the displacement of millions.
To combat this cycle of violence and suffering, the Congolese Churches are advocating for the revival of African traditions that traditionally facilitated conflict resolution. They have declared the year 2025 as the “Jubilee Year of Hope,” encouraging all nations in the region — notably DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi — to work together for peaceful coexistence and neighborliness.
The roadmap presents five foundational principles for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. These include restoration of African identity values, peaceful conflict resolution, embracing diversity, influencing political leadership against armed conflicts, and rallying international support for justice and sustainability efforts.
Recognizing the complexity of peace-making, the Congolese Churches will establish thematic commissions focused on peace and social cohesion, engaging in workshops to create a national Charter for peace and harmony. This charter is expected to emerge from a national forum scheduled for the upcoming months, as the churches label their initiative as both prophetic and pastoral, reliant on the support of the Congolese populace.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has suffered from conflict and humanitarian crises for over thirty years, particularly in the eastern regions, where various militias have operated with impunity, exacerbating suffering and displacement. Recent violence is attributed to groups such as the March 23 Movement, with accusations of foreign backing, complicating peace efforts. In this context, religious institutions have stepped forward to unite efforts towards achieving peace, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for holistic engagement to restore stability in the region.
The Churches in DRC have launched a significant peace roadmap aimed at fostering stability and ending violence in the Great Lakes region. Through the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together,” they aim to mobilize communities and political leaders toward shared goals of peace and coexistence. Their approach includes reviving traditional conflict-resolution methods and establishing foundational principles to ensure lasting peace, culminating in a national Charter. The success of this initiative heavily relies on widespread support and collaboration from the Congolese society.
Original Source: www.vaticannews.va
