The Congolese Catholic and Protestant Churches have launched the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together” to address the humanitarian crisis and conflict in the DRC and the Great Lakes region. The initiative seeks to unite citizens and leaders to end violence and promote social harmony, while establishing core principles and thematic commissions for a national Charter on peace. The Churches emphasize the importance of community involvement for success.
In response to the persistent insecurity in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the broader Great Lakes region, the Congolese Catholic and Protestant Churches have initiated a significant peace initiative. This venture, known as the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region,” aims to address the critical humanitarian crisis and conflicts that have troubled the region for over thirty years.
The peace roadmap encourages citizens, religious groups, and political leaders to unite towards the shared objective of ending violence and fostering social harmony. Monsignor Donatien Nshole and Reverend Eric Nsenga, representing the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), introduced this initiative during a recent press conference in Kinshasa.
Both leaders indicated that the Pact is a culmination of efforts initiated by the Churches, responding to a multitude of appeals from various stakeholders for the collective mobilization of all entities aimed at achieving enduring regional stability.
The escalation of violence in Eastern DRC has been exacerbated by the 2022 offensive launched by the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement. Militia violence has significantly displaced over six million people within the nation while prompting another million to seek refuge across the African continent, complicating both local and international peace efforts.
The Churches are advocating for the revival of traditional African practices of conflict resolution, thus declaring the year 2025 as the “Year of Peace and Living Together.” They urge the involved nations, particularly DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi, to promote a culture of peaceful coexistence and foster beneficial cross-border relationships among their communities.
The roadmap articulates five fundamental principles necessary for establishing enduring peace and socio-political stability: reinforcing core African identity values, resolving disputes through dialogue, celebrating diversity, influencing political leaders towards sustainable development, and seeking genuine support from the international community for justice and peace.
To address the challenges effectively, the Congolese Churches are planning to create thematic commissions focused on peace and social cohesion. They intend to convene workshops on various topics, leading to recommendations for a national Charter for peace and harmony, which would be formalized during an upcoming national forum.
The Churches have characterized their approach as “prophetic and pastoral,” emphasizing that the success of the Social Pact critically depends on the involvement of the Congolese populace. They pledge to maintain dialogue with key political actors and conduct sociocultural initiatives to bolster public support for their efforts.
The Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has faced decades of conflict, primarily driven by militia violence and instability. The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate as millions are displaced, leading to urgent calls for collective action and peacebuilding efforts. The Churches of DRC, acknowledging the role they can play in restoring peace, have launched this initiative to rally support from various sectors of society.
In conclusion, the Churches in DRC are taking a proactive approach to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Great Lakes region through their newly launched peace initiative. By emphasizing dialogue, cultural values, and solidarity among communities, the Churches seek to mobilize both national and international support to foster long-term peace and stability in the region.
Original Source: www.vaticannews.va
