WCC Urges For Peace Dialogue in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
The World Council of Churches advocates for dialogue to promote peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically around Goma. The Goma Call for Peace urges immediate international action to cease hostilities, protect civilians, and restore critical services. Prominent leaders and activists emphasize the moral imperative of collaboration to achieve lasting peace and address humanitarian needs.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has issued a call for dialogue to foster peace in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically around Goma. Pillay, representing the WCC, emphasized the necessity of dialogue to mitigate further suffering in the area. The WCC is prepared to collaborate with member churches and various civil society organizations in the Goma Call for Peace, advocating for actions that will reduce violence and enhance humanitarian access.
The Goma Call for Peace initiative urges the international community to respond promptly and decisively to the escalating crisis. It highlights the humanitarian and security threats in the region, stressing the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the upholding of ceasefire agreements. Moreover, it calls for the protection of civilians and for restoring vital services such as power and water in Goma.
The campaign reinforces the importance of resuming good faith dialogue between the governments of Kigali and Kinshasa, advocating for peaceful and diplomatic resolutions to end the ongoing conflict which has inflicted severe suffering. The collective plea reiterates the urgency for the international community to dedicate resources and consider all possible measures to facilitate peace.
A petition supporting the GomaCallForPeace has been initiated by a Congolese youth leader, a female war survivor, and Anglican Bishop Martin Gordon of Goma. Bishop Gordon stated, “Central to the Goma call for peace is a call for a resumption of dialogue knowing that dialogue and negotiation will be the only way to bring about lasting peace in Eastern Congo.”
Youth activist Mike Mpanya remarked, “This is not merely a regional issue; it is a moral imperative for all of us as Africans and as global citizens… Let us not be silent.” War survivor and children’s rights advocate Favour Ange asserted, “An immediate end to violence is the only way forward in Goma.”
The appeal has garnered additional support from respected figures such as Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, who emphasized the critical choice facing the international community regarding peace efforts. Similarly, Most Rev. Ande Georges Titre, the Anglican Archbishop of Congo, stressed the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, stating, “Immediate aid is desperately needed for those suffering most and our cries for peace need finally to be heard and acted upon.”
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by violence and instability, particularly in areas like Goma. As conflicts continue to escalate, humanitarian needs are urgent, necessitating an immediate response from both local and international actors. The Goma Call for Peace is a movement aimed at addressing these challenges through dialogue and cooperative efforts among various stakeholders, including church organizations and civil society groups.
The urgent call for peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo reflects a collective plea for an end to violence and a return to dialogue among conflicting parties. With endorsements from prominent leaders and an emphasis on humanitarian needs, the Goma Call for Peace strives to mobilize the international community towards actionable support for affected populations, aiming to create lasting peace and stability in the region.
Original Source: www.oikoumene.org
