** diplomacy as a key to peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo: an appeal to reflection on the future **
On February 25, 2023, in Kinshasa, President Félix Tshisekedi received the apostolic nonce, Monsignor Mitja Leskovar, to discuss the consequences of the war of aggression in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These exchanges have highlighted the urgency of a diplomatic and peaceful approach in a context where violence crosses the regions and destabilizes millions of lives. But beyond the usual speeches on peace, it is essential to wonder about the essence of this approach and the possible alternatives that could be envisaged.
The war in the DRC is not a simple case of armed conflict; It results from a multitude of factors, both internal and external. By evoking the complexity of the situation, Mgr Leskovar recalls an essential reality: peace can only emerge from a sincere dialogue. In a country where armed actors compete for the influence, the presence of foreign groups exacerbates the vulnerability of populations, in particular women and children, often on the front line of this tragedy.
Recent statistics indicate that around 5.5 million people are moved inside the DRC, a figure that testifies to the fracture between the daily life of the population and the geopolitical issues played there. Faced with this, the voice of the Catholic Church, relayed by Mgr Leskovar, shines with a light of hope, but also of resistance to fatality. The Holy See calls for a “negotiated solution”, a concept that it is crucial to analyze in a new light.
In a context where the language of force seems to dominate, the diplomatic approach advocated by religious representatives calls for questioning collectively. What does it really mean to meet around a table to discuss peace? This requires a real commitment, a desire to go beyond historical rivalries and to promote improbable alliances between the different factions. This process could include civil society organizations, representatives of all affected communities, and even key regional actors, to test the boundaries of acceptable in dialogue.
In parallel, it is necessary to consider the examples of conflict resolution elsewhere in the world. In Colombia, for example, the peace process with the FARC, although tumultuous, was built on years of negotiation and community engagement. Similar efforts in the DRC, integrating local voices and promoting reconciliation initiatives, could open the way to lasting solutions.
From an economic angle, it is also crucial to examine the role of natural resources. The DRC is rich in precious minerals, but this wealth is often a curse. The armed actors, both internal and external, exploit this wealth, fueling the conflict. A big question should occupy the spirits of decision-makers: how can we transform this essential resource for the economic development of the country into a peace tool? Resource management initiatives, based on transparency and equity, could reduce conflicts in their territories while providing subsistence opportunities to local populations.
In short, the meeting between President Tshisekedi and Mgr Leskovar represents much more than a simple diplomatic exchange; It is a reflection of a desire for deep and urgent change. Peace in the DRC cannot be a linear highway; It must go through winding paths where the diversity of actors and voices is honored. By creating a dialogue infrastructure, by reintegrating the population in decision -making processes and seriously considering the sharing of resources, this country could ultimately aspire to a future where words such as “war” and “violence” will only be A distant memory.
For Fatshimetric readers, the question remains: what paths still unexploited could we take to stimulate this dialogue? Peace does not only depend on the will of the leaders, but also on collective mobilization for a better future, a task that asks each of us to reflect on their own role in this incessant quest.