Peace and Well-being Pact in DRC and the Great Lakes – Mobilization for Peace
In a joint press conference held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the headquarters of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (Cenco), Monseigneur Donatien Nshole and Reverend Eric Nsenga, the respective secretaries general of Cenco and the Church of Christ in Congo (Ecc), reiterated their commitment to mobilize the Congolese population for peace and enhance social cohesion amidst persistent insecurity in the East of the DRC and for stability in the Great Lakes region.
Prophetic and Pastoral Call for Peace
The Peace and Well-being Pact in the DRC and the Great Lakes is the result of a lengthy process initiated by the two organizations in response to numerous appeals from various stakeholders to encourage mobilization for the effective stability of the region. The Cenco and the Ecc have raised fundamental questions that guided their initiative: How much suffering, death, rape, displacement, and destruction will it take before peace and coexistence are established in the DRC and the Great Lakes region? Where have our sociological and spiritual values of “Bumuntu” gone, which were the ontological foundation of our African identity? Why are we no longer capable of resolving our problems under the “palaver tree” as our ancestors did so wisely?
Building a Sustainable Peace
The secretaries general have emphasized that the success of this social pact can only be achieved if the Congolese population massively supports it. They believe that the fruition of this pact will allow Africa to break free from political and armed conflicts and embrace a global fraternity among peoples, communities, and nations. This will promote a model of democratic, stable, and robust rule of law in various countries.
Unity for a Stronger Africa
Massive adherence to this pact will not only bring back African sociological and spiritual values but also promote consensus through dialogue to eradicate the root causes of political and armed conflicts that plague the DRC and the Great Lakes region cyclically. The project aims to unite conflicting parties in respect of diversity to build a strong, united, and prosperous Africa in the face of globalization challenges. Additionally, it seeks to influence African political leaders, especially those in the region, to end armed violence.