Inside Four-Stage Roadmap Unveiled by Religious Leaders in DR Congo to End Protracted Violence

The roadmap, unanimously submitted to the Head of State and through him to the Congolese people, is structured around four key stages.

Stage 1: The Month of Peace

This first phase seeks to build “an atmosphere of mutual trust and political de-escalation.” 

According to the Religious leaders, the phase will feature both spiritual activities, including a nationwide ecumenical service, even in zones under rebel control, and advocacy efforts aimed at easing political tensions, securing a ceasefire, and supporting displaced civilians.

Activities in this stage will also promote tolerance, forgiveness, social fraternity, non-violence, community reconciliation, and the progressive return to national cohesion.

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Stage 2: Dialogue of Experts

This step is to convene Congolese academics, intellectuals, and professionals from the country and the diaspora to design “practical roadmaps for rapid recovery and accelerated development.”

Themes will include defense, governance, environmental stewardship, democratic processes, justice, and regional cooperation.

Stage 3: Political Dialogue

Described as “the culmination of the process,” this stage aims to achieve consensus among the ruling majority, non-armed and armed opposition, civil society, traditional leaders, the diaspora, and independent figures. 

The goal is to reach a “patriotic compromise” offering holistic and lasting solutions and to present the outcomes to the President as the foundation of a “Social Pact for Peace and Living Together.”

Stage 4: International Conference

A Technical Secretariat will coordinate preparations for two global meetings: an International Conference on Peace and Living Together in the Great Lakes Region and another on Post-Conflict Reconstruction Financing for the DRC.

Declaring the initiative “not an ordinary initiative, but a pastoral and prophetic action,” the religious leaders urge the President “to urgently enact measures officially launching this national and inclusive peace process.”

They also appeal to international partners “to swiftly recognize this process and provide sincere and constructive support.”

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To the Congolese people, the religious leaders offered a prayer, saying, “We pray to Almighty God, Master of times and circumstances, to lead the hearts of our citizens… toward a peaceful and patriotic guidance of our common destiny, so that our collective dream of building a Congo more beautiful than before may be fulfilled by the year 2060, the centenary of our national independence.”

“Nothing is impossible for those who, in prayer, ask God to transform them into artisans of peace and builders of non-violent, united, and fraternal family and intercommunity relationships,” the religious leaders say in the August 25 road map document.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.