Apostolic Nuncio Hopes Rwanda-DR Congo’s Multilateral Peace Agreement Will End Protracted Conflict

The Vatican diplomat said that unlike previous agreements in an attempt to restore lasting peace in the region, the June 27 agreement that was signed in Washington, USA is unique because of its “consultative” aspect.

“What seems unique this time is the non-imposition of standardized stabilization models from the outside that, although well-intentioned, often depended only on foreign made incentivized processes or sanctions-based efforts for de-escalation,” he said.

Credit: ACI Africa

The Nuncio explained unlike in previous agreements that were ineffective, “a consultative multilogue was now undertaken that considered the political, security, and economic concerns of Kigali and Kinshasa.”

“The African input into the multilogue echoes President Kagame's call for ‘African solutions to African problems. Peace is the ‘dividend,’ the foundation of any real progress, in the interest of all,” he said.

Themed “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace”, SECAM’s 20th Plenary Assembly seeks to build on what the 19th Plenary Assembly that was held in July 2022 mandated Africa’s Catholic Bishops to accomplish.

Credit: ACI Africa

In their status report presented on July 31, SECAM members unveiled their achievements for the past three years, noting that they had facilitated “peace dialogues, election monitoring and mediation initiatives in conflict areas,” through their Commission for Justice, Peace and Development (CJPD).

The Papal representative in Rwanda expressed the eagerness of the Church in Africa to contribute 

“SECAM complements the present political solutions in the continent by the social sensibilization of Gospel peace,” he said, and added, “The Catholic Church in Africa supports the political body of efforts for peace by giving it a soul, by forming peoples' convictions provided by their culture and resilient faith.”

Credit: ACI Africa

Archbishop Sanchez said that SECAM focuses on how Gospel peace can enrich the “prevailing African perceptions and praxis of peace.”

The Nuncio said that Jesus is the model of peace by his example of selfless reconciliation, and motive for hopeful action for good, through his words, ‘whatever you do to the least of your brethren, you do to me.’

“This cruciform approach is essential to make the African input on peace Christ-like,” he said, and added, “Christ, as Model and Motive for peace, is crucial not only for the authentic faith witnessing of Africans as Christians, but also indispensable for their peacemaking as Citizens.”

Credit: ACI Africa

(Story continues below)

In his message, Archbishop Sanchez also referred to Pope Leo XIV's first words after his election, “Peace be with you all”, and challenged SECAM to follow the lead of the Holy Father to effectively communicate, in African semantics, the Christian beatitude, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God’.

 “There is no peace without proactive peacemaking. Peace and peacemaking are inseparable,” the Nuncio said.

He explained that Gospel peace goes beyond good wishes, and social tranquility, adding that “harmonious coexistence is gained by working for selfless reconciliation and hopeful action for good.”

Credit: ACI Africa

Archbishop Sánchez said that true discipleship of the Prince of Peace could only be realized through the cross of peacemaking, where divisions are set aside in favor of the common good.

“May God bless you all as you begin this 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly and may its fruits live on in the hearts of the beloved peoples of Africa who long for peace and deserve progress,” he said.