The Catholic Bishops of Rwanda and Burundi are calling for peace in the embattled region, urging all parties involved in the conflict to return to the negotiating table and resolve their differences through peaceful means and sincere dialogue. This appeal comes amid rising tensions between Rwanda and Burundi, with the government in Bujumbura accusing Rwanda of supporting Burundian rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Bishops, who met from March 30 to April 1 at the Saint Joseph Center in Kibungo, Rwanda, declared that the closure of borders between the two countries hinders economic growth, social cohesion, and cultural exchange. They asked their leaders to act wisely and mercifully to restore normalcy and promote unity between their nations.
The Bishops also joined the message of the Association of Central African Episcopal Conferences (ACEAC), which calls for negotiations to resolve the conflicts peacefully. They encouraged the faithful to pray for peace, build bridges, and bear witness to communion, universal fraternity, and truth.
The crisis between Rwanda and Burundi is linked to the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where large parts of the provinces of North and South Kivu have fallen under the control of the Rwandan-backed M23 guerrilla movement. The government in Bujumbura fears a possible incursion by the M23 and Rwandans into its territory and an expansion of the Congolese conflict to the entire Great Lakes region.
In a similar appeal, the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACEAC) renewed their commitment to finding alternative paths to peace-building, peaceful conflict resolution, and unity in the diversity of peoples.