The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) issued an unequivocal warning on Saturday, June 20, about the current situation in the country. In a statement released in Kinshasa following an extraordinary plenary assembly, the Catholic bishops painted a worrying picture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s socio-economic, security and political reality, which they describe as a “nation in peril.”
At the top of CENCO’s concerns is the ongoing deterioration of the security situation in the eastern part of the country. Despite the signing of various peace agreements, violence continues to rage. The bishops cite the proliferation of armed groups, mass killings of civilians, and the humanitarian tragedy of displaced populations.
For the Congolese episcopate, the assessment is alarming: the situation remains dire and threatens not only regional stability but also national cohesion.
On the socio-economic front, CENCO acknowledges some progress, particularly in infrastructure and roads. However, these efforts remain largely insufficient to improve living conditions for the majority of Congolese. Poverty persists, the bishops insist, as the daily reality for a large part of the population, fueling social frustrations and widening inequalities.
Deep concerns over the political situation
It is on the political front that the bishops express their greatest anxiety. They denounce rising tensions around a potential project to modify the Constitution. According to CENCO, this debate is unfolding in a heavy climate marked by fear, pressure, and repression of dissenting voices. This situation is deemed worrying because it could undermine the foundations of the republican pact.
The bishops warn against any attempt to force through changes. “The consequences could be grave,” they caution, citing risks of widespread tensions and even national fragmentation.
Faced with these challenges, CENCO calls on the President of the Republic to strictly respect his constitutional oath. They urge him to prioritize dialogue and legality to preserve the country’s stability.
Preserving what matters: peace, unity, and the future
At the heart of CENCO’s message is a strong appeal to protect the fundamental pillars of the nation: peace, unity, and the future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In a context marked by multiple crises, the bishops urge all political and social actors to act responsibly to avoid a drift with potentially irreversible consequences.
