Burundi’s Catholic bishops on Sunday issued a strong call for peace, urging immediate action to end the ongoing violence plaguing the Great Lakes region, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The appeal, delivered by Bishop Bonaventure Nahimana, leader of the Conference of Burundian Catholic Bishops, follows an earlier statement from the Catholic bishops of the Great Lakes region, who emphasized the need to safeguard peace as a fundamental treasure.
In their address, the Burundian bishops urged citizens and leaders to take concrete steps toward peace, calling on them to reject all ideologies, teachings, and actions that incite violence and war. They also stressed the importance of dialogue at all levels—between individuals, within political parties, and across national borders—as a means to foster mutual understanding, coexistence, and long-term stability.
The bishops further called for a collective spiritual commitment, announcing a three-day prayer session from March 27 to 29 dedicated to peace and justice in the region. They also emphasized the necessity of cultivating a culture of charity by assisting the poor and extending support to refugees who have sought shelter in Burundi.
“Our region is on the brink of total destruction, like a volcano erupting with the fire of wars that spread, leaving a trail of devastation,” the bishops from the Great lakes region warned in February, lamenting the tragic toll that decades of conflict have taken on communities. They pointed to the growing number of orphans, widows, and displaced persons as evidence of the crisis and condemned the deep-rooted causes of violence, including divisive ideologies and harmful teachings.
The bishops appealed to the leaders of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to act swiftly in implementing peace resolutions from recent regional summits.
“We are committed to supporting this quest for peace, as it aligns with our mission to spread the Good News,” the bishops stated. “We hope that in our countries, swords that once shed blood may be transformed into tools that promote development in our region.”
Their statement comes as violence intensifies in eastern DRC, where government forces are engaged in fierce battles with the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda. The conflict has forced tens of thousands to flee, with over 65,000 refugees crossing into Burundi since the outbreak of violence. Authorities predict that the number will continue to rise as more people seek safety across borders.
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