WCC News: WCC calls for dialogue for peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay called for resuming dialogue that supports peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where conflict has escalated following an incursion of Rwandan troops into Congolese sovereign territory on the Goma/Rubavu border. A man raises his hand as he sings during worship in a church in Goma, the war-torn city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 05 February 2025 ”Dialogue is the only way to avoid further suffering in and around Goma,” said Pillay. “The World Council of Churches stands ready with our member churches to support all efforts to resume dialogue between presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi. And we join with other faith and civil society groups in the Goma Call for Peace—praying for action that reduces violence and enables humanitarian access.” The Goma Call for Peace campaign is urging the international community to act immediately and decisively for peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.  The call notes the humanitarian and security risks in the region, urging “immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities and respect of the existing ceasefire agreement” as well as “protection of the civilian population and an urgent humanitarian response including the restoration of power and water to the city.” The call also urges a resumption of dialogue in good faith between Kigali and Kinshasa, and peaceful and diplomatic means as the only way to end the conflict which has already caused untold suffering.  The call concludes by urging the “international community to invest every effort and to consider using all possible means to bring peace…” A petition has been created to back the #GomaCallForPeace campaign, which was been created by a Congolese youth leader, a female war survivor, and Anglican bishop of Goma Martin Gordon, who said: “Central to the Goma call for peace is a call for a resumption of dialogue knowing that dialogue and negotiation will be the only way to bring about lasting peace in Eastern Congo.” Mike Mpanya, youth activist said: “This is not merely a regional issue; it is a moral imperative for all of us as Africans and as global citizens. We stand at a crossroads where we can choose a future not dictated by the rule of force but shaped by our shared values of human dignity, freedom, and justice. Let us not be silent.” Favour Ange, war survivor and women, girls, and children’s activist said: “An immediate end to violence is the only way forward in Goma. The Goma call for peace seeks to protect human rights and end the violence against women and children.” Backing the joint appeal was the archbishop of Southern Africa, Most Rev. Thabo Makgoba, who said: “We are at a moment when we can choose to come together in the pursuit of peace or the international community can turn away and allow the suffering of the innocent.” The call has also been backed by Most Rev. Ande Georges Titre, the archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Congo, who said: “Immediate aid is desperately needed for those suffering most and our cries for peace need finally to be heard and acted upon.” Sign the petition #GomaCallForPeace See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland