The Congolese Catholic and Protestant Churches have launched a peace initiative named “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region” in response to ongoing violence and humanitarian crises. This roadmap aims to unite citizens and leaders towards achieving peace and social cohesion, focusing on traditional conflict resolution methods and five core principles for lasting stability.
Amid ongoing insecurity in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the broader Great Lakes region, the Congolese Catholic and Protestant Churches launched a significant peace initiative, addressing the humanitarian crisis and conflicts that have persisted for over three decades. This initiative, named “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region,” aims to unite citizens, religious communities, and political leaders in fostering peace and social cohesion.
The peace roadmap was unveiled at a press conference in Kinshasa by Monsignor Donatien Nshole and Reverend Eric Nsenga, the General Secretaries of CENCO and ECC, respectively. They noted that the Pact is a culmination of a long process, responding to calls from various stakeholders to facilitate mobilization toward achieving lasting stability in the region.
The DRC’s eastern provinces have faced increased insecurity from militia violence, driven in part by the alleged involvement of the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement. This situation has led to severe human rights violations and the displacement of over 6 million individuals internally, while an additional million have sought asylum across Africa, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts proving insufficient in resolving the complex local and regional conflicts.
To interrupt the continuing cycle of violence and suffering, the churches advocate for reviving traditional African conflict resolution methods, notably those exemplified by the “palaver tree” concept. They have declared 2025 as the “Year of Peace and Living Together,” urging regional cooperation among DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi, promoting peaceful coexistence and self-determination among citizens.
The roadmap outlines five foundational principles for achieving lasting peace: restoring African sociological values, resolving conflicts through dialogue, embracing diversity, influencing political leaders to end armed conflicts, and seeking genuine support from the international community for justice and sustainability practices.
The churches also intend to create thematic commissions dedicated to peace and social cohesion, facilitating discussions in workshops leading to actionable recommendations. These findings will contribute towards a national Charter for peace, to be ratified during an upcoming national forum.
Both churches describe their initiative as “prophetic and pastoral,” emphasizing that the initiative’s success largely depends on support from the Congolese populace. They pledge to advocate for their cause among key sociopolitical actors at national and international levels and to conduct sociocultural outreach to enhance the impact of their efforts.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been embroiled in conflicts for over three decades, particularly in the eastern regions. The involvement of various militia groups, often intertwined with regional interests and the legacy of past conflicts, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Millions remain displaced, and efforts for peace have frequently been undermined by this complex web of violence and instability. The churches’ initiative represents a response to these dire conditions, seeking to unify various stakeholders toward common peace-building goals.
The launch of the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region” signifies a major step towards addressing the persistent conflicts in the region. By promoting dialogue, embracing diversity, and restoring traditional conflict resolution methods, the churches aim to foster stability and peace. Their efforts depend heavily on the support from the Congolese people and collaboration among regional leaders to succeed in creating a lasting peace framework.
Original Source: www.vaticannews.va
