This meeting was to urge peace and dialogue amid the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC. The fighting, which has seen the M23 rebel group seize the strategic city of Goma, has displaced thousands and left the region in turmoil.

Nanga, who leads the DRC River Alliance, is positioning himself as a prominent figure opposing President Félix Tshisekedi's government. His leadership of various political and rebel groups has contributed to the destabilisation of the DRC, with calls for a peaceful resolution growing louder from both local and international bodies.

Father Rigobert Kyungu, a member of CENCO and the Jesuit Provincial of DRC revealed that the Bishops had written to various regional leaders, including Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC, seeking to facilitate peace talks. CENCO and Church representatives have expressed hope that their ongoing engagement with Nanga will yield positive results.

In a sign of goodwill, Nanga, known for his combative leadership style, presented himself clean-shaven and well-dressed for the meeting, a gesture that was warmly received by the bishops. The church leaders applied African methods of dialogue, grounded in the philosophy of Ubuntu, emphasising the need for all sides, opposition groups and government alike, to come together for meaningful discussion.

Although the immediate atmosphere in Goma remains tense, some services are slowly being restored following the M23's takeover. Power and water supply have been partially resumed, though banks remain closed and the local economy has been heavily impacted. Goma’s residents, particularly those awaiting salaries, continue to face significant hardship.

Father Kyungu also addressed the DRC government's stance, acknowledging President Tshisekedi's refusal to directly negotiate with the M23. However, the government continues to support the bishops’ peace efforts, underscoring the complex dynamics at play in resolving the region's crisis.

--ChannelAfrica--