Catholic bishops and Protestant pastors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have submitted a comprehensive “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together” to President Felix Tshisekedi
Newsroom (01 July 2025, Gaudium Press) – Catholic bishops and Protestant pastors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have submitted a comprehensive “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together” to President Felix Tshisekedi, aiming to address the decades-long conflict ravaging the country’s eastern regions. Delivered on June 21 in Kinshasa, the plan emerges from three months of extensive consultations involving rebels, local communities, and Congolese citizens at home and abroad.
The eastern DRC has been a hotspot of violence, with the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23) intensifying its offensive since 2022, capturing cities, displacing thousands, and causing significant loss of life. According to Amnesty International, the conflict has displaced at least 7.3 million people by April 2024, with over 6 million deaths since 1998, driven by approximately 120 armed groups vying for territorial control and mineral resources.
The Social Pact, spearheaded by religious leaders, seeks to rally congregations, politicians, and communities around a vision of peace rooted in African conflict resolution traditions, notably dialogue under the “palaver tree.” Monsignor Donatien N’shole, secretary general of the Bishops’ Conference, announced the formation of a working team to refine the pact and outline next steps. “The team will harmonize prerequisites and plan effectively for sustainable outcomes,” said Eric Senga, secretary general of the Protestant Church in Congo (ECC).
The pact rests on five core principles:
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Restoring “Bubuntu”: Emphasizing African values of social cohesion and non-violence to rebuild shared humanity.
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Conflict Resolution through Dialogue: Promoting consensus-building to address root causes of violence.
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Embracing Diversity: Leveraging the DRC’s cultural diversity to foster unity rather than division.
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Ending Armed Conflicts: Urging political leaders to prioritize peace and sustainable development over resource exploitation.
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International Support: Advocating for global backing of justice, peace, and environmental sustainability.
Elie Mbulegheti, communications director for Caritas Butembo-Beni, hailed the initiative’s inclusivity, noting its roots in the Catholic Church while embracing other faiths. “This pact is timely, given M23’s dominance in North Kivu and expansion into South Kivu,” he told Crux. The proposal coincides with a U.S.-brokered peace deal signed on June 27 between the DRC and Rwanda, calling for the disarmament and integration of armed groups. However, critics argue the deal prioritizes U.S. access to Congo’s critical minerals, potentially sidelining local interests.
Previous peace efforts by Qatar, Angola, and Kenya have faltered, but U.S. President Donald Trump framed the latest agreement as a “new chapter of hope and opportunity.” Details remain sparse, and skepticism persists, with Mbulegheti noting the need for a future Tshisekedi-Kagame meeting to solidify commitments.
Father Aurélien Kambale Rukwata, director of the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace in Butembo-Beni, emphasized the pact’s potential during a June 10 press conference. “The Social Pact remains the best solution to resolve the DRC’s security and sociopolitical crises,” he said. Mbulegheti echoed this, stressing the need for a just economic model to support war-affected communities. “Any agreement must ensure justice for victims to break the cycle of impunity fueling Congo’s violence,” he told Crux.
As the DRC navigates this dual approach—church-led reconciliation and international diplomacy—the Social Pact offers a grassroots framework for sustainable peace, rooted in dialogue, justice, and shared humanity.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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