The song “TUISHI PAMOJA Remix” by the Chorale St. Michel of Rubare–Rutshuru was released on October 15, 2025, to promote peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the eastern region. This artistic expression embodies the collective longing for peace, reconciliation, and justice of the Congolese people—especially the community to which these musicians belong.
The choir members live in an area currently under rebel control, which is the subject of ongoing peace negotiations between armed factions and the Government of the DRC, facilitated by Qatar and the United States. Their heartfelt interpretation of the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) and Artistes Musiciens pour la Paix (AMP) peace anthem, “Let Us Live Together Without Discrimination,” is one of the many fruits of the Unity Through Diversity program launched in August 2024.
AMP, a coalition of musicians from eastern Congo, was formed on the second day of the Unity Through Diversity Seminar. The seminar’s main recommendation—to change hearts and minds about tribalism while embracing ethnic diversity as a strength—has since guided their mission. This remix was produced in collaboration with St. Aloyse Catholic Parish of Rutshuru, to which St. Michel Choir belongs.
With over 100 active members, St. Michel participated in the parish-wide peace concert held on August 30, 2025, which brought together nearly 1,000 youth from 13 parish choirs. Through their music, they have become true ambassadors against tribalism, spreading a message of coexistence and respect for all.
The town of Rubare, home to the St. Michel Choir, has long been known to the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN). In 2010, AFJN conducted a study there to understand how residents had managed to withstand repeated waves of ethnic violence. One of the key findings was the creation of the Baraza la Wazee—a Council of Elders composed of representatives from every ethnic group present in Rubare.
Like all traditional councils, their justice is not repressive. The Rubare town Baraza la Wazee embodied restorative justice. It served as a space where those with grievances could speak freely, be heard, and seek reconciliation. By addressing perceived injustices transparently and inclusively, the council helped defuse tensions before they could escalate into violence. This model of justice rooted in fairness, dialogue, and restoration has the potential to remain the moral foundation of Rubare’s resilience.
As the Bible reminds us, “Justice exalts a nation, but sin is a people’s disgrace” (Proverbs 14:34, NAB). Indeed, it was justice—not repression—that elevated Rubare and shielded it from the ethnic violence that engulfed surrounding regions.
Today, the youth of St. Michel Choir continue this legacy through music, carrying forward the vision of a community built on justice, reconciliation, and mutual respect.
The lyrics of “TUISHI PAMOJA Remix” and the experience of Rubare offer a powerful lesson for the entire DRC against tribalism. Ethnocentrism—the belief that one’s ethnic group is superior to others—destroys the moral fabric of society. It breeds exclusion, fuels cycles of revenge, and obstructs peacebuilding. When people define justice through ethnic lenses, trust collapses, and peace becomes impossible.
True peace in the DRC, as our peace anthem “TUISHI PAMOJA [let us live together]” proclaims, depends on replacing ethnocentric pride with empathy, and punitive justice with restorative healing. Only by honoring diversity, practicing fairness, and building relationships of mutual respect can the nation rise above its divisions and live out the song’s message: Let us live together without discrimination.