On January 15, Christian denominations in the DRC launched a peace initiative called the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Well Together,” addressing violence in the eastern region. The collaborative effort includes over 60 Protestant denominations and the Catholic Church, aiming to unite local communities towards peaceful coexistence amidst significant humanitarian crises.
On January 15, Christian denominations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) introduced a collaborative strategy aimed at addressing escalating violence and humanitarian crises in the country’s eastern region. This initiative, dubbed the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Well Together in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Great Lakes Region,” is a joint effort by the Church of Christ in Congo, comprising over 60 Protestant denominations, and the Catholic Church.
During the launch, Rev. Eric Nsenga and Fr. Donatien Nshole emphasized the urgent need for peace and coexistence, stating that it is vital for the communal welfare and a basic human responsibility. They declared, “In this year of Jubilee…our prophetic mission makes it our duty to urge individuals and communities towards supportive co-existence.”
This strategy is particularly pertinent as the DRC confronts an intensifying conflict with the M23 rebel group, which has returned to violence after a period of dormancy. The conflict, allegedly fueled by external support from Rwanda, has sparked significant displacement, particularly in North Kivu, leading to the displacement of over 7.3 million individuals.
The church leaders lamented the growing humanitarian crisis, stating, “Every day that passes is one too many… the dark prospects of a humanitarian catastrophe with incalculable consequences are becoming clearer.” Their campaign seeks to unite congregations, local politicians, and communities in a joint effort to pursue peace and harmony.
Unlike conventional diplomatic methods, this initiative will utilize traditional African practices of conflict resolution, which often involve community dialogue. The leaders highlighted the values of Bumuntu (Ubuntu), emphasizing the importance of communal identity and moral principles in resolving disputes, saying, “Where have our sociological and spiritual values of Bumuntu gone?”
The leaders are calling for a return to these foundational values to establish enduring peace. Additionally, they advocate for prioritizing dialogue and consensus to address the underlying issues of political and armed conflicts. Implementation of this plan will involve extensive workshops that aim to create a comprehensive national charter for peace and coexistence.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by ongoing conflict, particularly in the eastern regions where violence has intensified due to the resurgence of the M23 rebel group. This rebel faction, allegedly supported by Rwanda, poses a significant threat to stability, resulting in vast humanitarian crises and displacement. Despite previous diplomatic efforts yielding little success in resolving these issues, the joint initiative by Catholic and Protestant leaders seeks to revitalize traditional conflict resolution methods to foster peace in the region.
In summary, the newly launched “Social Pact for Peace” represents a significant collaborative effort by Christian leaders in the DRC to address the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis prompted by ongoing armed conflicts. By harnessing traditional values and community dialogue, the initiative aims to establish a foundation for lasting peace and harmonious coexistence in the DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.
Original Source: www.indcatholicnews.com
