Plans Underway for Diocesan Peaceful March against Insecurity in Eastern DR Congo

Dozens of armed groups are believed to operate in the Eastern region of DRC despite the presence of more than 16,000 UN peacekeepers.

In his November 14 statement, the Local Ordinary of Wamba Diocese invites the people of God in the Eastern part of the country to remain united despite the challenges they face.

“We want peace and unity so that every farmer can sleep peacefully,” the 75-year-old Bishop who has been at the helm of Wamba Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in June 1997 says.

On the logistics during the planned peaceful march, the people says that Parish Priests “will tell you what we are planning.”

“Remain attentive to the orientations that will be given in this sense by the Parish Priests,” Bishop Kataka further says, and emphasizes, “It is a peaceful march. We don't want to throw stones.”

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On November 10, Catholic Bishops in DRC expressed concern about insecurity in the Central African nation and called for collective action to restore peace.

In their collective statement, members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) highlighted cases of insecurity recorded in the country in recent times and called for collective responsibility in view of restoring peace in the country. 

“We are concerned about the deterioration of security in our country and moved by our prophetic mission, sound the alarm on the danger that our country is facing and on the responsibility of all of us,” CENCO members said in their message issued at the end of their November 7-9 Extraordinary Plenary Assembly in Kinshasa.

The Catholic Church leaders called on Félix Tshisekedi-led government to see to it that the most basic right to life is protected, security of all citizens is guaranteed, and territorial integrity of the country is safeguarded.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.