On January 15, 2024, the Catholic and Protestant churches in the DRC launched a collaborative peace initiative amidst escalating violence driven by M23 rebels. The “Social Pact for Peace and Living Well Together” seeks to engage local communities and political leaders in dialogue, drawing on African traditions to address humanitarian crises and encourage coexistence.
On January 15, 2024, Christian denominations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) launched a collaborative strategy to address ongoing violence and humanitarian crises affecting the region. This initiative, termed the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Well Together,” stems from a partnership between the Church of Christ in Congo, a coalition of over 60 Protestant groups, and the Catholic Church.
At the launch event, Rev. Eric Nsenga and Fr. Donatien Nshole emphasized the urgent need for peace and coexistence amidst escalating conflicts, particularly in eastern DRC, where the resurgence of the M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, is exacerbating the situation. The leaders underscored that this year is critical for citizens and communities to champion peaceful coexistence and mutual support.
The M23 rebels have reignited conflicts, contributing to mass displacements in North Kivu, with Amnesty International reporting that as of April 2024, at least 7.3 million people had been displaced due to the ongoing violence. The conflict, which has claimed over six million lives since 1998, poses a severe humanitarian crisis as addressed by the church leaders.
The church’s roadmap aims to mobilize local communities, politicians, and congregations towards conflict resolution, as traditional diplomatic strategies have proven inadequate. The initiative promotes dialogue grounded in African conflict resolution traditions, which were cresting under the concept of “palaver”—a community discussion aimed at problem-solving and reconciliation.
The church leaders are advocating a revival of sociocultural and spiritual values inherent to African identity, such as Bumuntu (Ubuntu), which emphasizes humanity and solidarity. They call for an emphasis on dialogue and consensus in addressing the fundamental causes of the political and armed conflicts.
To implement their strategy, the churches will conduct detailed workshops whose outcomes will aim to form a national charter for peace and harmony within DRC and the Great Lakes Region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has grappled with longstanding violence and humanitarian issues, particularly in its eastern regions. The resurgence of armed groups, such as the M23 rebels, has led to a critical humanitarian crisis. Christian denominations in the country are responding with a collaborative initiative aimed at fostering peace and living together. The background of these efforts revolves around the unique African traditions of community dialogue and conflict resolution.
The launch of the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Well Together” by Catholic and Protestant leaders indicates a significant step towards addressing the urgent need for peace in the DRC amidst a deepening humanitarian crisis. By reviving traditional African conflict resolution methods and promoting core humanitarian values, the churches aspire to create a framework for lasting peace and unity within their communities.
Original Source: www.indcatholicnews.com
