President Félix Tshisekedi visited Nkamba on Thursday, October 12, 2023, the holy place of the Kimbanguist Church, thus marking a rapprochement between the power in Kinshasa and one of the most influential local churches. This trip by Tshisekedi is of great importance, with a double ceremony commemorating both the death of Simon Kimbangu and the birth of Papa Simon Kimbangu Kiangani.
Simon Kimbangu, founder of the Kimbanguist Church, died on October 12, 1951 after thirty years of imprisonment. His birth, also on October 12 but in 1887, is an event celebrated by the faithful. It is in this spirit of commemoration that President Tshisekedi chose to go to Nkamba, to honor the memory of Simon Kimbangu and show his support for the Kimbanguist Church.
Papa Simon Kimbangu Kiangani, son of Papa Dialungana Kiangani Salomon and mother Kiwasisilua, today occupies the position of Spiritual Head and Legal Representative of the Kimbanguist Church. Married to Lumuenedio Sidonie and father of one child, he plays a key role within this highly respected religious community in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The presence of numerous delegations on site in Nkamba testifies to the importance of the event and the attachment of the faithful to their faith. This rapprochement between political power and the Kimbanguist Church could open the way to closer collaboration between the two entities, in a context where religion plays a significant role in the daily life of many Congolese.
By going to Nkamba, President Tshisekedi is sending a strong message, showing his desire to dialogue and work in close collaboration with all components of Congolese society, including religious institutions. This gesture demonstrates his gratitude to the Kimbanguist Church and his desire to promote a climate of harmony and mutual understanding.
This trip by Félix Tshisekedi to Nkamba marks an important step in his policy of rapprochement and consolidation of links with the different religious communities of the DRC. By engaging in concrete actions in favor of social peace and the recognition of cultural and religious diversity, the president shows his determination to build a united and prosperous Congo for all its citizens.