Anglican Church Pressures Tshisekedi Over AFC/M23 Role in Congo Peace Talks
Fresh tensions have emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s fragile peace process after the Anglican Church publicly urged President Félix Tshisekedi not to exclude the AFC/M23 coalition from anticipated national dialogue.
The appeal comes at a sensitive moment. On January 31, 2026, President Tshisekedi told members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Kinshasa that any future inter-Congolese dialogue would be led by the government and would not include individuals or groups responsible for crimes against Congolese citizens. His remarks were widely interpreted as a firm rejection of AFC/M23’s participation in any peace negotiations.
For years, the Congolese government has accused the M23 rebel movement and its political-military alliance, AFC/M23, of committing grave abuses against civilians and destabilizing eastern provinces. Kinshasa maintains that granting the group a seat at the negotiating table risks legitimizing armed rebellion.
However, leading Christian institutions in the country argue that lasting peace cannot be achieved through exclusion.
Churches Advocate Inclusive Dialogue
The Anglican Church in the DRC, working alongside the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), has been promoting what it describes as a “national covenant for peace and coexistence” aimed at addressing both internal political tensions and wider insecurity in the Great Lakes region.
Rev. Eric Nsenga, Secretary General of the Anglican Church in the DRC, stressed that sustainable peace requires engagement with all actors involved in the conflict including armed movements.
“The inclusivity we are calling for is not a reward for wrongdoing,” Rev. Nsenga stated. “It is a practical path to ending cycles of violence. History shows that structured negotiations, followed by firm implementation measures, can produce durable outcomes, as seen during the Sun City talks of 2002–2003.”
Those negotiations in South Africa helped lay the groundwork for a transitional government after years of devastating war. Church leaders frequently cite that precedent to argue that dialogue, even with controversial actors, may prevent prolonged bloodshed.
A Deeply Rooted Conflict
The conflict in eastern DRC is complex and deeply entrenched. Armed groups have operated in the region for decades, fueled by ethnic tensions, political grievances, regional rivalries and competition over mineral resources.
M23, originally formed by former members of a previous rebel group integrated into the Congolese army, resurfaced in recent years, capturing territory in North Kivu province and sparking fresh displacement crises. The AFC/M23 coalition represents both military and political elements aligned with that movement.
Kinshasa’s position is shaped by public anger and the humanitarian toll of the conflict. Millions have been displaced in eastern Congo, and civilian communities have borne the brunt of recurring clashes. For many Congolese citizens, any engagement with armed groups raises difficult moral and legal questions.
Yet religious leaders argue that refusing dialogue could entrench divisions and extend instability.
Goma Visit Signals Church Engagement
In early 2025, delegations from the Anglican Church and CENCO traveled to Goma, a city at the heart of the conflict, where they held discussions with AFC/M23 representatives. The visit underscored the churches’ commitment to facilitating dialogue between all Congolese stakeholders.
Rev. Nsenga explained that the trip was consistent with the broader peace covenant initiative. According to him, excluding parties directly involved in hostilities risks producing agreements that lack enforcement power on the ground.
“As our joint initiative with CENCO makes clear, inclusivity must extend to all actors in the conflict, including those who have taken up arms,” he said. “If they are excluded, the root causes of instability remain unresolved, and any agreement risks collapsing before implementation.”
This perspective reflects a broader philosophy often adopted in peacebuilding efforts across Africa: conflicts rarely end through military victory alone. Durable settlements tend to emerge from negotiations that balance justice, accountability and political compromise.
Tshisekedi’s Dilemma
President Tshisekedi faces a delicate political calculus. Domestically, he must respond to public frustration over insecurity while demonstrating resolve against armed rebellion. Internationally, he is under pressure to support regional mediation initiatives designed to stabilize the Great Lakes region.
Angolan President João Lourenço, acting as a regional mediator, has repeatedly encouraged inclusive dialogue. Other African mediators have echoed similar calls, emphasizing that durable solutions require engagement rather than isolation.
However, any decision to open talks with AFC/M23 carries political risks. Critics could interpret it as capitulation or as undermining justice for victims of violence. Supporters of dialogue counter that negotiations do not preclude accountability mechanisms; rather, they create space for ceasefires and humanitarian access.
Balancing these competing imperatives security, justice and reconciliation has defined many post-conflict transitions worldwide.
Regional and International Stakes
The eastern DRC crisis has implications beyond Congo’s borders. Instability in North Kivu affects trade routes, refugee flows and diplomatic relations across the Great Lakes region. Neighboring countries have periodically been accused of backing or tolerating armed groups, further complicating efforts to de-escalate tensions.
Regional mediation frameworks, including those supported by the African Union and sub-regional blocs, aim to harmonize security and political solutions. The churches’ intervention adds a moral and civic dimension to these efforts, reinforcing calls for national ownership of the peace process.
Religious institutions in Congo hold significant social influence. Both the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church have historically played mediation roles, particularly during electoral crises and constitutional disputes. Their credibility among local communities gives weight to their appeals.
Lessons from Past Negotiations
The reference to the Sun City talks is not incidental. In the early 2000s, negotiations brought together warring factions, political parties and civil society actors. The resulting transitional arrangements did not solve every structural problem, but they marked a turning point away from full-scale war.
Advocates of inclusion argue that similar pragmatism is required today. They contend that dialogue can establish ceasefires, clarify political grievances and set timelines for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programs.
Skeptics caution that not all armed groups negotiate in good faith and that fragmented command structures can undermine commitments. They also warn that premature concessions may embolden other militias.
These debates illustrate the complexity of conflict resolution in a country as vast and diverse as the DRC.
The Road Ahead
As diplomatic consultations continue, it remains unclear whether President Tshisekedi will adjust his stance. His January 31 remarks were unequivocal, signaling that individuals accused of crimes should not shape the nation’s political future.
At the same time, sustained pressure from regional mediators and influential church leaders may encourage reconsideration of negotiation formats. One possible compromise could involve phased dialogue, where ceasefire agreements precede broader political discussions.
For ordinary Congolese citizens, the priority remains peace and security. Communities in eastern provinces seek stability, access to basic services and the chance to rebuild livelihoods disrupted by conflict.
The debate over AFC/M23’s participation is ultimately about strategy: whether exclusion strengthens accountability or whether engagement creates space for transformation.
As discussions unfold, the direction chosen by Congolese authorities will shape not only the country’s internal stability but also the broader trajectory of peace efforts in the Great Lakes region.
What is certain is that the call for inclusive dialogue has entered the national conversation with renewed urgency. The coming months may determine whether that call translates into a reconfigured peace process or a continuation of hardened positions.
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