GOMA, Congo — In a bid for peace in eastern Congo, representatives from the country’s major church organizations met with leaders of Rwanda-supported rebels on Wednesday. This gathering in Goma comes after weeks of fighting that resulted in the rebels taking control of the strategic city.
The delegation included members from the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), two of the nation’s largest religious groups. They met with Corneille Nangaa, the political leader of the M23 rebels, who have been engaged in a long-standing conflict with Congolese forces.
Bishop Donatien Nshole, CENCO’s secretary-general, stated after the meeting that it was crucial to end the violence swiftly, emphasizing that a military solution is not the answer. He also pointed out the necessity of restoring public services in Goma, which is crucial for humanitarian efforts, especially for the nearly 6.5 million people displaced by the ongoing conflict.
The M23 rebels have gained notoriety as the most prominent group among the many armed factions in the resource-rich eastern region of Congo, with reported support from around 4,000 Rwandan troops, according to the United Nations. The recent clashes have been devastating, leading to the loss of approximately 2,000 lives, based on reports from local authorities.
While various African nations have attempted to facilitate peace discussions, these efforts have not yielded significant results. The M23, despite declaring a unilateral ceasefire, continued to clash with government forces as of Wednesday, with reports of fighting still occurring near Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province.
U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric informed reporters about ongoing skirmishes around Ihusi, located about 70 kilometers north of Bukavu, prompting many residents to flee to nearby towns and into Lake Kivu.
The Congolese government asserts that it will only engage in talks with the M23 within the framework of previous peace initiatives. The government has deemed the rebels’ ceasefire announcement as insincere and has called for sanctions against both the rebels and Rwanda.
The atmosphere in Goma regarding the peace meetings is mixed. Some residents are hopeful that these discussions might lead to an end to hostilities, while others view it as insufficient. Fiston Kitoko, a local resident, expressed skepticism, suggesting that meaningful resolutions require the leaders to meet directly.
President Félix Tshisekedi’s political party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), has criticized the church-led peace initiatives, arguing that such actions should wait for an official directive from the president.
