Protestant and Catholic church leaders in Congo have launched the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Well Together” to address the urgent need for peace amid rising conflict in eastern DRC due to the M23 rebels. This initiative promotes traditional values and dialogue to build consensus and resolve the underlying causes of conflict, aiming to prevent further humanitarian crises.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes Region, Protestant and Catholic leaders have collaboratively established a plan titled the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Well Together.” This initiative, spearheaded by the Church of Christ in Congo and the Catholic Church, addresses the urgent need for peaceful coexistence amid ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, particularly involving the resurgence of the M23 rebels.
During the launch event, Rev. Eric Nsenga and Fr. Donatien Nshole underscored the immediate imperative for unity and peace in their address: “In this year of Jubilee… our prophetic mission makes it our duty to exhort people, communities, and the state of our sub-region to fulfill the duty of human beings towards themselves, that of peaceful co-existence and supportive co-existence.” This statement highlights the importance of collective responsibility and action in achieving harmony.
The ongoing conflict, exacerbated by the M23 rebels—reportedly supported by Rwanda—has led to significant displacement in North Kivu, with Amnesty International reporting at least 7.3 million individuals uprooted by violence by April 2024. The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, leading church leaders to declare, “Every day that passes is one too many!” They emphasize the urgency of addressing the situation to prevent further catastrophe.
The churches aim to unite congregations, political leaders, and local communities in a campaign for conflict resolution and peace. Their approach contrasts with traditional diplomatic efforts, opting instead for dialogue rooted in African cultural practices, specifically the customary conflict resolution method of discussing matters under the palaver tree. The leaders pose critical questions regarding the loss of traditional values that once shaped African identities.
The clerics advocate a revival of sociological and spiritual principles like Bumuntu (Ubuntu) to foster enduring peace in the DRC and surrounding regions. They call upon communities to engage in dialogue and strive for consensus to eradicate the root causes of political conflict. The churches plan to conduct workshops to develop recommendations that could potentially evolve into a national charter for peace and unity.
The partnership between the Catholic and Protestant churches in Congo aims to address the mounting conflict in the eastern DRC, especially due to recent incursions by the M23 rebel group. Historically, the region has suffered severe unrest, leading to a substantial humanitarian crisis. With millions displaced and lives lost since the outbreak of civil war in 1998, religious leaders are mobilizing communities across the DRC to foster dialogue, emphasizing the return to traditional values as a means of conflict resolution.
The initiative by Protestant and Catholic churches in Congo represents a significant step toward fostering peace and dialogue within a conflict-ridden region. By advocating for the resurgence of traditional values and practices such as Bumuntu, the church leaders aim to address the underlying causes of violence in the DRC. The urgency expressed in their call to action highlights the need for immediate and collective efforts to end the cycle of conflict and displacement in the region.
Original Source: www.oikoumene.org
