Catholic and Protestant leaders in eastern Congo are striving to mediate ongoing violence and promote peace dialogues. Their initiative faces challenges from the government, which opposes negotiations with the M23 rebels. However, they continue to garner support regionally and internationally, emphasizing the necessity of dialogue despite the government’s resistance.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, escalating violence in the eastern region has prompted Catholic and Protestant church leaders to initiate mediation efforts aimed at promoting dialogue. These efforts intend to include all stakeholders, including President Félix Tshisekedi and the M23 rebels, but are hindered by the government’s resistance to negotiate with insurgent groups.
On February 9, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo stated a commitment to engage in conversations with all factions, regardless of their affiliations. Supported by the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), the mediation attempts have not yet achieved substantial progress as M23 forces continue their operations in South Kivu.
The push for peace commenced on February 3, following a meeting between Cardinal Ambongo and President Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, where a “social pact for peace and coexistence” was proposed. Initially receptive to the initiative, the president later retracted support as the negotiations began gaining traction, citing concerns over legitimizing the M23 rebel group.
Conflict escalated when the church delegation visited Goma on February 12 to meet with Corneille Nangaa, an M23 associate. The Congolese government regards M23 as a terrorist organization, complicating any dialogue. Father Jean-Marie Bomengola noted that while the ruling party may privately support the initiative, the government publicly rejects any negotiations with the rebels due to fears of external manipulation.
Despite governmental pushback, church leaders continued their initiative, meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who advocated for Dialogue among Congolese parties. The group later engaged with Kenyan President William Ruto, who also expressed support for the mediation efforts.
International backing bolsters the church’s initiative, with bishops from Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda collectively urging armed factions on February 26 to pursue non-violent solutions. Father Bomengola emphasized the church’s credibility compared to political entities, while underlying government resistance remains a barrier to effective mediation.
The mediation efforts led by Catholic and Protestant churches in eastern Congo face significant challenges due to governmental opposition and complex regional dynamics. While church leaders actively seek to foster dialogue among conflicting parties, their initiative is met with skepticism from the government, complicating the search for peace. Nonetheless, ongoing international support highlights the importance of these efforts for achieving long-term stability in the region.
Original Source: international.la-croix.com
