Protestants and Catholics in Congo have launched the ‘Social Pact for Peace,’ a collaborative initiative designed to foster peaceful coexistence amidst rising conflict in eastern DRC. With growing displacement due to insurgent activities, church leaders call for a return to traditional conflict resolution methods and sociological values. Their strategy includes extensive workshops aimed at building a national charter for peace.
Protestant and Catholic leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have jointly introduced a new initiative called the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Well Together in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Great Lakes Region.” This collaborative effort emerges from the Church of Christ in Congo, which represents over 60 Protestant denominations, and the Catholic Church.
At the initiative’s launch, Rev. Eric Nsenga and Fr. Donatien Nshole emphasized that achieving peace and fostering harmonious coexistence is an urgent necessity that directly affects the populace. They articulated the moral obligation for individuals, communities, and the state to engage in peaceful and supportive coexistence during this Jubilee year.
The backdrop of this initiative is a resurgence of conflict in eastern DRC, particularly due to the activities of the M23 rebel group, which has recently intensified its offensives. The M23 faction, believed to have Rwandan support, has caused significant violence and a humanitarian crisis, displacing over 7.3 million people by April 2024, as reported by Amnesty International.
The church leaders cautioned that every passing day without resolution increases the risk of a humanitarian disaster of unimaginable scale. Their roadmap aims to unify churches, local communities, and politicians towards the common objective of ending conflict and establishing peaceful coexistence across the region.
Contrary to conventional diplomatic approaches, the churches intend to apply traditional African conflict resolution methods, traditionally practiced under the palaver tree. They lament the decline of sociological and spiritual values such as Bumuntu (Ubuntu), which have historically formed the foundation of African identity and conflict resolution.
The ecclesiastical leaders are calling for communities to return to these fundamental values, emphasizing the importance of consensus and dialogue to address the underlying issues fueling political and armed conflicts within the DRC. They plan to conduct extensive workshops to develop actionable recommendations which they aspire to incorporate into a national charter for enduring peace and coexistence.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by ongoing conflicts, particularly in the eastern regions, where various armed groups, like the M23 rebels, have caused widespread devastation and displacement. The Catholic and Protestant churches, represented by significant religious figures, recognize the urgent need for a framework to address these conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence. Their initiative aims to embrace cultural values and traditional conflict resolution practices to foster lasting peace in the region.
In conclusion, the newly launched Social Pact for Peace represents a critical step towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in the DRC. By advocating for a return to traditional values and methods of dialogue, it seeks to unite diverse actors in the pursuit of lasting peace. The successful implementation of this initiative could significantly mitigate ongoing conflicts and support the healing and rebuilding of affected communities.
Original Source: www.oikoumene.org
