A delegation of Catholic and Protestant church leaders from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) met with officials of the AFC/M23 rebel movement in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, on February 12 to promote dialogue to resolve the continuing conflict in the country’s eastern region.
The meeting, held at the Goma Serena Hotel, brought together representatives of the Congolese National Episcopal Conference (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC), AFC/M23 coordinator Corneille Nangaa, and other senior rebel figures. Church leaders have long advocated for inclusive talks, arguing that a lasting peace must involve all stakeholders, including the rebels.
The M23 rebels, who seized control of Goma on January 27, have since restored basic services such as water, electricity and schools. Tensions remain high, however, and the group warned on February 10 that it could advance toward Bukavu in South Kivu Province if attacks on civilians by the Congolese army and its allies continue. Reports of violence, looting and abuse involving the Congolese army coalition, including Burundian troops and the Wazalendo militia, have further destabilized the region.
Before the meeting, CENCO and ECC leaders reiterated their call for dialogue at a press conference in Kinshasa on February 5, stressing that excluding the AFC/M23 from peace efforts would be unrealistic. ECC Secretary-General Pastor Éric Nsenga said, “Our role is not to declare one side good and the other bad,” stressing the need for comprehensive negotiations involving political leaders, civil society and armed groups.
The church delegation also met with President Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa on February 11. While it remains unclear whether they persuaded him to reconsider direct talks with M23, the ruling UDPS party later issued a statement condemning the bishops’ initiative. The party reaffirmed that the AFC/M23 rebels could be integrated into the East African Community-led Nairobi peace process like other armed groups, but that there would be no direct negotiations between the government and the movement, which Kinshasa claims receives support from Rwanda.
The UDPS also criticized some religious leaders for what it described as a “hostile” stance towards state institutions.