Communique from the WCC and AACC Symposium on Democratic Governance and Electoral Process in the Democratic Republic of Congo
COMMUNIQUE OF THE ECUMENICAL FORUM OF MEMBER CHURCHES OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC) AND THE ALL AFRICA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES AFRICA (AACC) IN THE DRC, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE OF CONGO (CENCO) DELEGATES TO THE SYMPOSIUM ON DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND ELECTORAL PROCESS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC CONGO, HELD AT ADDIS-ABABA ETHIOPIA FROM 5 TO 8 DECEMBER 2016, AT THE INVITATION OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC) AND THE ALL AFRICA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES (AACC)
We,
Leaders of the Ecumenical Forum of member churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) in the DRC as well as the delegates of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO);
Meeting in Addis-Ababa, from 5 to 8 December 2016, on the invitation of these two organizations, to examine the role of the Church of Congo on issues related to peace, security, democratic governance and electoral processes in the DR Congo;
Thank God who has made it possible to hold the symposium of Ecumenical Forum of the AACC and WCC member churches;
We Would like to thank His Eminence the Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Addis-Ababa, his Grace Abune Yacob, Archbishop of the Diocese of Addis Ababa of the Orthodox Church in Ethiopia, as well as his Excellence Bishop Reverend Dr. Wakseyoum Idosa, President of the Lutheran Church Mekane Yesus of Ethiopia for their presence at our symposium and the words of encouragement and support to the Congolese people;
We also thank His Excellency Mr. Claude Nyamugabo, Ambassador of the DRC to Ethiopia and permanent representative of the DRC at the African Union, for his presence and participation at these meetings;
Aware of the ongoing political crisis in our country in relation to the end of the second term of the current President of the Republic, recognize and value the efforts made by each other for the holding of the Political and inclusive Dialogue which resulted in a political agreement but that requires a broad inclusiveness;
Conscious of the urgent need to contribute to peace and stability in our country, we welcome and support the mediation led by the CENCO to bring closer the points of view of the signatories and non-signatories of the agreement;
The mission of the Church will be easy if each political actor agrees to do an examination of conscience without complacency, bearing in mind the responsibility towards our ancestors and the posterity to which we should leave the legacy of the country. To be successful in the peaceful transfer of power prescribed in our Constitution, it is essential to engage our country on the path of forgiveness that begins with a sincere repentance and generates the reconciliation.
We appreciate to its fair value the contribution and logistical support of the United Nations for the holding of peaceful, credible, free and transparent elections.
Given the current political situation that threatens social peace and security of populations, the participants recommend:
1- To the Head of State, to persevere on the path of dialogue with a view to national cohesion and to take the height of his high office to remove the obstacles to the realization of the noble objective which he pursues;
2 – To the Government, to effectively make the organization of the elections its priority by providing to CENI necessary means to its actions and ensure the security of the whole electoral process especially in the conflict areas;
3 – To political leaders, all tendencies, to have in mind, at all times that we are among us brothers and sisters. We must protect human life which is sacred. We must all work hand in hand for cohesion and national unity as well as for the respect, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our great nation;
4 – To the Congolese population, to hold firm in the hope by prayers and thanksgiving, God does not abandon us. He comes to our assistance in showing us the way to facilitate the peaceful transfer of power, namely by: repentance, forgiveness and justice leading to reconciliation and peace. We must then mobilize ourselves for the holding of free and transparent elections;
5 – To the International Community and to MONUSCO, to continue their support and assistance for the electoral process and to intensify the fight against armed groups that massacre the population in the Eastern provinces of our country;
6 – To the WCC and the AACC to intensify their commitment to accompany the Church of the DRC to assume in unity its mission of mobilization of the population for peace;
Signed in Addis Ababa on 7 December 2016
For the delegation of the Ecumenical Forum of WCC and the AACC member churches in the DRC
Rev. Jean NTITA