Protestant and Catholic Leaders Unite for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Protestant and Catholic leaders in the DRC have launched the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Well Together” to address escalating conflicts, particularly in eastern regions. The initiative emphasizes urgent, peaceful coexistence and employs traditional African conflict resolution methods. With significant displacement due to recent violence, the churches aim to rally communities around shared values and collaborative dialogue to foster lasting peace.
Protestant and Catholic leaders have jointly launched a roadmap entitled “Social Pact for Peace and Living Well Together in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Great Lakes Region.” This initiative emerges from the collaborative efforts of the Church of Christ in Congo, which encompasses over 60 Protestant denominations, alongside the Catholic Church.
During the launch, Rev. Eric Nsenga and Fr. Donatien Nshole emphasized that the need for peace and harmonious coexistence has become critically urgent, demanding immediate attention from local communities and the broader state. They articulated this message within the context of a Jubilee year, underscoring the prophetic mission of promoting peaceful coexistence.
The initiative is particularly pertinent amidst escalating conflict in eastern DRC due to renewed activity by M23 rebels, alleged to be supported by Rwanda. As hostilities have intensified since 2022, the ongoing strife has led to significant displacement, with around 7.3 million individuals affected. The leaders expressed alarm over the humanitarian crisis, acknowledging the toll of over 6 million deaths since the conflict’s inception in 1998.
The church leaders underscored the pressing nature of the crisis, stating, “Every day that passes is one too many!” They called for a collective effort among congregations, local politicians, and communities to pursue peaceful coexistence and conflict resolution. Unlike previous diplomatic attempts, this initiative aims to integrate traditional African conflict resolution methods, such as dialogue held under a palaver tree.
The leaders reflected on the loss of traditional social and spiritual values, questioning, “Where have our sociological and spiritual values of Bumuntu gone?” They emphasized the importance of restoring these values to foster enduring peace in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region. Furthermore, they encouraged communities to engage in consensus and dialogue to address the fundamental causes of conflict.
To facilitate this strategy, churches plan to conduct extensive workshops that will generate recommendations aimed at establishing a national peace charter. Through these efforts, they aim to mobilize support for a tranquil and united future in the DRC.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has faced decades of conflict, particularly in the eastern region, where various rebel groups have perpetuated violence and instability. The M23 rebels’ resurgence has intensified the humanitarian crisis, marked by widespread displacement and casualties. This challenging environment sets the stage for the joint effort by Protestant and Catholic leaders to advocate for peace through traditional methods of conflict resolution, highlighting the need for community engagement in addressing underlying issues.
In conclusion, the launch of the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Well Together” marks a significant step by Protestant and Catholic leaders in addressing the escalating conflict in the DRC. By advocating for traditional conflict resolution methods and emphasizing the importance of sociological values, the initiative seeks to foster a sustainable peace framework. This collaborative approach aims to unite communities and facilitate dialogue as a means to mitigate conflicts and promote coexistence.
Original Source: www.oikoumene.org
