Catholic and Protestant delegations met with M23 rebels in Goma, expressing that armed struggle is not a solution to the ongoing conflict.
Newsroom (14/02/2025 10:58, Gaudium Press) “The aim was to convince them that armed struggle is not a solution and that we come with a proposal that can contribute to building a lasting peace, hence the so-called ‘Social Pact for Peace and Coexistence in the Democratic Republic of Congo'”, said Donatien Nshole, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Congo (CENCO).
Monsignor Nshole was part of the delegation of CENCO and the Church of Christ in Congo (Église du Christ au Congo, ECC) that met on February 12, in Goma with the leaders of the M23 militia, the pro-Rwandan rebel movement that took control of the city at the end of January.
The delegation met in particular with Corneille Nangaa, coordinator of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), the political wing of the M23. “We are continuing the tour we started in Kinshasa (with President Félix Tshisekedi) to sensitize all the political parties that are important for resolving the crisis and building lasting peace,” explained the Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference.
The delegation of the two churches presented in particular the “methodology of the social pact for coexistence in the Democratic Republic of Congo“. The rebel leadership responded that they were “open to dialogue”. Monsignor Nshole said he was convinced that there was room for negotiations to resolve the conflict peacefully. “We explained our dynamics for dialogue and our interlocutors have agreed to participate in it”.
The Social Pact for Peace and Coexistence in the Democratic Republic of Congo aims to seek dialogue involving all stakeholders, including rebels and socio-political actors in exile. To give a regional dimension to their initiative, CENCO and ECC have asked for the support of the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, current President of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the President of Kenya, William Ruto, President of the East African Community (AEC).
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Agenzia Fides
