Church Leaders Call for Ceasefire in Goma

Leaders from both the Catholic and Protestant churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have called for an immediate ceasefire in Goma, following the arrival of rebel leaders who recently seized control of the city in the country’s volatile eastern region.

Bishop Donatien Nshole, the Secretary-General of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), highlighted the church’s ongoing efforts to mediate between the government and the rebel forces. Speaking to the media, Nshole explained that the goal of their visit was to facilitate discussions, listen to the concerns of all parties, and raise awareness about the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.

“We are here to encourage dialogue and to understand the issues at hand. Our focus is to bring attention to the necessity of finding a peaceful solution to this crisis,” said Nshole.

The Bishop also expressed hope that the M23 rebel group, which currently controls parts of Goma, could play a constructive role in the peace process. He suggested that their involvement could be key in building a lasting peace in the region.

Corneille Nangaa, the political leader of the M23 rebels, welcomed the church delegation but did not make any specific comments on their talks. Nangaa’s silence comes as the country grapples with the political complexities of the ongoing conflict.

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DRC Crisis

Just last week, the rebel leaders met with President Félix Tshisekedi, where they called for an immediate ceasefire and urged for a political solution to end the crisis in the eastern DRC. The president’s office has yet to comment publicly on the discussions.

The Catholic Church, with its long-standing tradition of promoting peace and democracy in the DRC, has been a key player in the country’s political and social issues. Their appeal for peace highlights the deep concern over the ongoing instability in the eastern provinces, which have been plagued by conflict for years.

The church leaders’ message is clear: for any meaningful resolution to be reached, all parties must come to the table and engage in constructive dialogue.