K After more than three months of nationwide consultations, a coalition of religious leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is calling for a political dialogue as tensions and insecurity continue to spiral in the country’s troubled eastern regions.
Catholic bishops and Protestant pastors have emerged at the forefront of efforts to mediate a way out of the worsening crisis.
Their initiative comes in response to what they describe as a “dramatic deterioration” in security conditions across provinces such as North Kivu and Ituri — regions long plagued by armed groups and militia violence.
“We have listened, we have reflected, and we are convinced that the time has come for a sincere, inclusive national dialogue,” one senior cleric reportedly stated during a closed-door meeting held earlier this month in Kinshasa.
Religious leaders have met with political actors, civil society representatives, and international observers in an effort to map a path forward.
Their consultations, launched in early March 2025, aimed to gather lessons from past peace efforts while identifying concrete strategies to end the cycle of violence that has displaced millions and undermined national cohesion.
The group’s initiative has drawn cautious support from civil society organizations and some members of the political opposition, who see dialogue as a potential opening toward de-escalation and reform.
According to sources close to the interfaith coalition, a formal proposal for a political roundtable is expected to be submitted to President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration in the coming weeks.
While the government has not yet publicly endorsed the initiative, the pressure for engagement is growing both at home and abroad.
As the DRC teeters on the brink of deeper instability, the question now is whether the country’s leadership will seize the opportunity to rally behind this religious-led appeal — or risk sliding further into conflict.
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