Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
For nearly three decades the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been torn by a succession of wars that have cost an estimated 6 million lives.
“The church deplores war and all other forms of violent conflict and urges the peaceful settlement of all disputes. We yearn for the day when there will be no more war and people will live together in peace and justice. We reject the use of war as an instrument of foreign policy and insist that every peaceful and diplomatic means of resolution be exhausted before the start of armed conflicts.” (United Methodist Social Principles, The Political Community, ¶163 War and Military Service F., page 34)
Background
The General Board of Church and Society has advocated alongside Congolese United Methodists, diaspora partner organizations, and other faith leaders around the world, for an end to the violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
These wars are considered the deadliest in human history after World War II and are primarily related to resource extraction, including cobalt used in batteries and electronics, oil, gold, diamonds, and timber.
Natural resources have attracted the attention of governments, international corporations, and armed groups fueling conflict, including the deterioration of relations between the DRC and Rwanda.
Such conflict has exacerbated poverty and hunger, led to the rape and exploitation of women and children, and created widespread disease, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and recurring disease outbreaks such as cholera, measles, and Ebola. The ongoing complex humanitarian crises in the DRC and neighboring regions have resulted in an estimated 6 million deaths and massive displacement.
The United Nations Human Rights Commission (2019) reported that the DRC is home to 4.5 million displaced persons and more than 530,000 refugees. To respect the sovereignty and integrity of the DRC and to support the continued presence of the United Nations, a UN peacekeeping force has been operating in the DRC since 2010. This peacekeeping force is known as the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo or MONUSCO (an acronym based on its French name Mission de l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en République démocratique du Congo).
“The country’s development cannot be achieved without political stability, accountability, and the active participation of its citizens. Non-governmental organizations need to be strengthened and given a real voice in the future of their country. Congolese need and deserve support to consolidate peace, construct democracy, save lives, and rebuild their country.” (United Methodist Book of Resolutions #3223: Democratic Republic of the Congo: Hope for a Radiant Future, page 239)
Actions You Can Take
- Educate yourself and your local community by reading more about the situation in DRC in the United Methodist Book of Resolutions Resolution #3223: “Democratic Republic of the Congo: Hope for a Radiant Future.”
- Get involved in the movement to bring about peaceful and lasting change in the DRC and raise consciousness of the world community on supporting the Congolese by getting involved with the Friends of the Congo: https://friendsofthecongo.org/
- Meet with your elected officials to advocate for a just peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Sign up for email alerts focused on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other peace with justice issues at https://www.umcjustice.org/.
