By Paschal Norbert
KINSHASA, FEBRUARY 4, 2025 (CISA) – The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Catholic bishops denounced the escalating violence, particularly the capture of Goma by the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, allegedly backed by Rwanda, and the subsequent advance of these forces towards Bukavu.
“It is with great sadness and much concern that we follow the deterioration of the security situation in the North Kivu and South Kivu Provinces, particularly worsened by the capture of the city of Goma by the AFC/M23 rebel coalition supported by Rwanda and their advance towards the city of Bukavu,” the bishops stated in a statement dated February 3, 2025 and signed by Most Rev Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, Archbishop of Lubumbashi and President of CENCO.
The intensification of combat between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the AFC/M23 rebels has led to massive human losses and large-scale looting in Goma and surrounding cities. The bishops highlighted that the crisis has exacerbated environmental destruction and forced mass displacement of an already vulnerable population.
“It has resulted in looting in the city of Goma and surrounding towns and has worsened the mass displacement of populations already impoverished by recurrent conflicts that these provinces have been experiencing for the past thirty years,” the bishops noted.
CENCO stressed that the gravity of the situation had compelled them to take time in reflection to better understand the complexities of the crisis and consider future prospects for peace.
“The situation is so serious and the emotion so great that they have required us to take a time of reflection, in silence, to better understand its contours and discern the future perspectives,” they said.
In a gesture of fraternal solidarity, the Catholic bishops extended their support to the local clergy, particularly Bishop Willy Ngumbi of Goma and Archbishop François-Xavier Maroy of Bukavu, as well as to the people living in these conflict-ridden areas.
The bishops also conveyed their deepest condolences to all families affected by the ongoing war and reassured them of their unwavering compassion: “We take this opportunity to extend our most Christian condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones in this war that has lasted too long and to express our compassion to all those who are suffering from these tragic events.”
In the statement, which also included a call for peace, the prelates echoed Pope Francis’s recent appeal during the General Audience on January 29, 2025. The Pope urged conflicting parties to work towards ending hostilities and protecting civilian lives.
“Pope Francis… urged ‘the conflicting parties to commit to ending hostilities and protecting the civilian population…’, and recommended ‘that the local authorities and the international community do everything possible to resolve the conflict situation through peaceful means,’” the bishops recalled.
CENCO reiterated their commitment to peace by advocating for the “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together in the DRC and the Great Lakes” in collaboration with the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC). They urged all Catholic faithful and people of goodwill to intensify their prayers for lasting peace in the DRC: “We invite all Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill to intensify their prayers for the advent of lasting peace in our country.”