Cardinal Urges Dialogue “even with those we consider as enemies” to Resolve Protracted Eastern DR Congo Crises

“The nation is in danger; every passing minute is crucial. Let us not waste any more time if we want to save our country,” he warned. 

On January 27, the Rwandan-backed March 23 Movement (M23) rebels announced that its forces had taken over the capital of Eastern Province of the DRC, Goma, Reuters reported.

“Rwandan-backed rebels marched into eastern Congo's largest city Goma on Monday (January 27), and the U.N. said they were supported by at least some regular Rwandan troops, in the worst escalation of a long-running conflict for more than a decade,” the January 27 Reuters report indicated.

In his February 9 homily, Cardinal Ambongo underscored the importance of going beyond surface-level efforts, advocating for a true and meaningful pursuit of solutions that can lead to a miraculous transformation.

“Let's abandon this superficiality, and on the word of God dare to go deep. Miraculous fishing can happen if we adhere in particular to the social pact for peace and good living together proposed by the CENCO and the ECC,” the Cardinal said in reference to the call members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) made in collaboration with Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), for a “social pact for peace and harmonious coexistence in the DRC and the Great Lakes region.”

He added, “Going deep means accepting the call of the Catholic and Protestant churches for the belligerents to abandon their weapons and seek a solution to their claims through dialogue.”

The Local Ordinary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kinshasa who doubles as President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) emphasized the Catholic Church’s commitment to facilitating dialogue with all stakeholders, including the M23 rebels, in an effort to foster constructive discussions. 

“If we must go to Goma, we will go. We will speak with everyone. Even if they live on the moon, we will reach them on the moon,” he said, and calling for an approach that transcends political and ethnic divisions added, “We cannot afford to ignore inclusivity if we want this dialogue to lead to a lasting solution.”

For him, peace can only be achieved if all voices, including those of the rebel groups and local communities, are heard and taken into account.

“Military force alone will not bring peace, but rather a political process that is inclusive and respectful of every individual’s rights,” the Congolese Cardinal said. 

Speaking to journalists after the Holy Mass, Cardinal Ambongo faulted the international community's “double language” in its response to the ongoing crisis in Eastern DRC.

“We have the impression that the international community speaks with a double language, while it has the means to advance the cause of peace in the sub-region,” he said, adding, “Unfortunately, it is not doing so. We are not in favor of solutions that rely on sanctions. We are in favor of a solution based on dialogue so that together we can agree on the way forward.”

Cardinal Ambongo continued, “With the international community, it’s also a matter of interest. If it’s about the exploitation of Congo’s mineral resources, let’s meet to see how these riches can benefit both the investors and the Congolese people.”

In an interview with ACI Africa, Br. Adolphe Mulengezi Mihingano of the Institute of the Consolata Missionaries (IMC) identified foreign interference and resource exploitation among the root causes of the crisis in Eastern DR Congo. 

“The crisis eastern DRC is the result a complex combination of historical, economic, political and geopolitical factors. Eastern DRC is rich in natural resources including gold, coltan, cobalt, diamonds and other strategic minerals used in the global technology industry,” said Br. Mulengezi, a native of Goma, the capital and largest city of North Kivu Province in the Eastern region of DRC.

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Br. Mulengezi said that the precious natural resources in DRC attract “greed” on the part of “local and international players, including multinationals and rebel groups. The latter illegally exploit the mines and finance their activities from the sale of these minerals, perpetuating a cycle of violence.”

The latest reports about the protracted crisis in mineral-rich East of the DR Congo indicate that nearly 3,000 people have been killed in the city of Goma, and hundreds of female inmates were raped when they were attacked inside Munzenze prison in Goma during amass jailbreak, among other dehumanizing atrocities.  

In his February 9 homily, Cardinal Ambongo expressed his spiritual closeness with the victims of the conflict in Eastern DRC.

“In solidarity with the people of the Grand Kivu, victims of bloody conflicts and forced to flee their homes, I offer this Eucharist to implore for peace in the eastern part of our country,” he said.

The Cardinal added, “The tragedy we face has incalculable consequences. We must pray for the victims, for the wounded, and for our soldiers. Above all, we must pray for the return of peace.”

He urged the people of God to turn to the Lord, asking for divine intervention to help resolve the conflict and realize lasting peace in the DRC and the Great Lakes region.