The Congolese Catholic and Protestant Churches have launched the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together” to address the humanitarian crisis and longstanding conflicts in the DRC and Great Lakes region. This roadmap aims to unify citizens, religious communities, and political leaders to promote peace and social cohesion, reflecting a deep commitment to restoring stability in a region plagued by violence and displacement.
Amid persistent insecurity in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the greater Great Lakes region, both the Congolese Catholic Church and Protestant Church have come together. They are represented by the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) to launch a new peace initiative. This initiative aims to respond to the escalating humanitarian crisis and long-standing conflicts that have affected the region for over thirty years.
Titled the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region,” this roadmap intends to unite citizens, religious communities, and political leaders. The shared goal of this pact is to eliminate violence and promote peaceful coexistence and social cohesion among the communities within these areas.
Monsignor Donatien Nshole and Reverend Eric Nsenga, the General Secretaries of CENCO and ECC respectively, presented the roadmap at a joint press conference in Kinshasa. They emphasized that the Pact stems from a prolonged effort by the Churches, motivated by numerous calls from different stakeholders for mobilizing all parties towards stable regional solutions.
The Eastern regions of the DRC have faced increasing insecurity, exacerbated by militia violence, particularly after the March 23 Movement’s offensive allegedly backed by Rwanda in 2022. The resulting clashes and widespread human rights violations have led to the internal displacement of over six million people and forced another million to seek refuge in other African nations. Past diplomatic efforts, including peace talks, have been obstructed by complex local and regional interests.
To break this cycle of violence and displacement, the Churches urge the revival of traditional African conflict resolution methods, akin to dialogue held beneath the “palaver tree.” They are declaring 2025 as the Jubilee Year of Hope, focusing on peace and coexistence, encouraging cooperation among the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi to enhance “good cross-border neighborliness.”
The roadmap comprises five fundamental principles intended to foster long-term peace and sociopolitical stability: restoring the spiritual values of “Bumuntu” unique to African identity; resolving conflicts via dialogue; embracing diversity; influencing African governments to cease violence; and securing heartfelt international support for justice and sustainability.
Acknowledging the intricacy of their mission, the Congolese Churches plan to create thematic commissions addressing peace and social cohesion. Recommendations will be formulated through workshops, culminating in a national Charter for peace and harmony to be ratified in an upcoming national forum.
The Churches characterize their initiative as both “prophetic and pastoral,” stating that its success depends significantly on the backing of the Congolese populace. They commit to advocating for the initiative with key sociopolitical figures domestically and globally, as well as conducting various sociocultural activities to expand their outreach.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the surrounding Great Lakes area have suffered from ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises for decades. Various militia groups, often involving complex regional dynamics, have engaged in violence, leading to significant human rights abuses and mass displacement. The Churches’ peace initiative emerges as a response to the urgent needs of these affected communities and aims to mobilize support across the region to promote stability and coexistence.
The joint effort by the Congolese Churches to launch the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together” is a significant step towards addressing the persistent crises plaguing the Great Lakes region. By fostering dialogue and community engagement, the Churches aim to create a foundation for sustainable peace and stability. The success of this initiative relies heavily on the support and active participation of the Congolese people and the international community.
Original Source: www.vaticannews.va
