The Africa Faith and Justice Network invites you to the “Congo Peace Vigil: A Global Call for Peace in the Congo” on Friday, December 30, 2022 from 12 – 6 pm EST (US and Canada). Join us in solidarity with the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for a live-streamed gathering that will feature reflections from faith leaders, musicians, activists, renowned figures and ordinary people who have come together to demand an end to conflict and appeal for accountability and peace in the DRC. From the comfort of your home, let us call for justice for the victims, humanitarian assistance for the displaced, a peaceful coexistence among the peoples of the region, and recognition of the inherent dignity of all persons to bring an end to the greatest humanitarian crisis at the dawn of the 21st century.
The livestreamed vigil, beginning at noon EST (US and Canada), will be broadcast on multiple platforms and social media outlets. Please register to let us know you support peace in the DRC by clicking here.
Supporters:
African Great Lakes Action Network, Andrée Blouin Cultural Center, Center for Research on the Congo-Kinshasa, Common Cause UK/DRC, Congo Democratic Initiatives, Congo Love, Congolese Action Youth Platform (CAYP), Friends of the Congo, Geno-Cost, Historic Black Towns and Settlements Alliance, HMG NETWORK, iHeartAfrica, NoMore, The United Methodist Church — General Board of Church and Society, World Conference of Mayors, and Yole! Africa.
Congo Peace Vigil:
A Global Call for Peace in the Congo
Livestreamed Event
December 30, 2022
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm EST (US and Canada)
5:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Accra, Ghana)
6:00 pm – 12:00 pm (Abuja, Nigeria)
7:00 pm – 1:00 am (Johannesburg, South Africa)
8:00 pm – 2:00 am (Nairobi, Kenya)
View the livestream at https://youtu.be/9WzrbioLpFU
Background
The resurgence of the M23 rebel group has brought with it an acute rise in violence in the DRC. After their defeat in 2013, M23 has been incubating in Rwanda and Uganda until their recent resuscitation this year, in 2022. The United Nations’ August 2022 report provides “solid evidence” of Rwandan support of M23. The United States government also said it had credible evidence of Rwanda’s support of M23 and called on Rwanda to cease government support of the rebel group. For more than a quarter of a century, civilians in the DRC continue to be victims of aggression by the Rwandan and Ugandan governments, through their direct and indirect support of M23. It is estimated that six million Congolese have perished as a result of this on-going conflict. As people of good will, we need to raise awareness of this ongoing crisis affecting our Congolese brothers and sisters and call on our leaders to make ending this conflict a top priority.
Call to Action
For Governments and International Organizations
1. Donor nations should withhold military aid and the UN should sanction the individuals in the Rwandan government responsible for supporting the M23 militia in the Congo. We call on world leaders, the United States and the United Kingdom in particular along with the European Union, United Nations and African Union to hold the Rwandan government to account for its destabilization of the Congo and Great Lakes Region of Africa.
2. Per the recommendations of the UN Mapping Exercise Report, we call for the creation of an International Criminal Tribunal on the Congo. We demand accountability, an end to the impunity, justice and reparations for the victims of the wars of aggression against the Congolese people.
For the public
3. Sign up here to be a part of the global movement for peace in the DR Congo. The crimes that have unfolded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the past quarter century are a scar on the conscience of humanity. We appeal to people of goodwill throughout the globe to join our campaign in building a global consensus to bring an end to the conflict and tremendous suffering that has unfolded in the DRC.
4. Send a message to the Rwandan government that we do not support their war of aggression in the Congo:
- Do Not Visit Rwanda
- Do Not drink Rwandan coffee
- Do not fly Rwanda Air
5. Ask your elected official what they are doing to address conflict in the Congo. Demand that President Biden implement Public Law 109-456, Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006.
Get Involved
- Want your organization to be listed as a supporter of peace in DRC?
- Would you like to send a (Text or video) solidarity message?
- Have you been affected and would like to share your story?
- Do you know someone who was affected?
- Were you a refugee in DRC in 1996 when Rwandan troops attacked the camps?
- Do you know about the killings described in the UN Mapping report?
- Would you like to read a segment from the UN mapping report during our live event on December 30th?
- Would you like to participate in any other way?
- Are you a religious leader and wish to join others in signing a letter demanding peace now?
- Please send an email to bahati@afjn.org
Event Program
| 12:05 – 12:20 | Opening Remarks: Why are we here today |
| 12:20 – 12:25 | Faith Leaders lead in Prayer |
| 12:25 – 12:30 | Faith Leaders lead in Prayer |
| 12:30 – 12:35 | Song from the DRC |
| 12:35 – 12:40 | Statements or Message from Nobel Peace Prize Dr Mukwege |
| 12:40 – 1:20 | UN Mapping Report I: Call for Accountability for Rwanda’s crimes in DRC |
| 1:20 – 1:25 | Call to action |
| 1:25 – 1:30 | Song from the DR Congo |
| 1:30 – 1:45 | Solidarity Messages with the Congolese people |
| 1:45 – 2:00 | Geography, Culture, Presentation of the region under siege |
| 2:00 – 2:05 | Call to action |
| 2:05 – 2:10 | Song from the Congo |
| 2:10 – 2:40 | Film Presentation: Crisis in the Congo |
| 2:40 – 2:55 | Solidarity messages II (Text & video) |
| 2:55 – 3:00 | Call to action |
| 3:00 – 3:05 | Song from the DR Congo |
| 3:05 – 3:35 | Report from the frontlines |
| 3:35 – 3:50 | Statements from world leaders to the Rwandan Government |
| 3:50 – 3:55 | Call to action |
| 3:55 – 4:00 | Song from the DR Congo |
| 4:00 – 5:00 | Panel Discussion – Crisis in Africa’s Great Lakes Region |
| 5:00 – 5:05 | Call to action |
| 5:05 – 5:10 | Cultural Experience: Song from the DRC |
| 5:10 – 5:25 | Solidarity messages III (Text and video) |
| 5:25 – 6:00 | Catholic Mass: Read Rev. Barthelemy Bazemo, MAfr’s Homily, Read the Prayer Petitions |