Blanchard Ayinza Boke coordinates the program work of Connexio hope and Connexio develop in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He lives with his family in Kinshasa and has regular contact with people in eastern Congo.
On April 25, the governments of the DR Congo and Rwanda signed a declaration of principles for an agreement to promote peace and economic development in the Great Lakes region. A draft peace agreement should have been drawn up by May 2. There is a ceasefire in eastern Congo. This does not change the fact that the rebel group M23 and other groups continue to spread terror in the region. There are daily reports of armed robberies, rapes, kidnappings of young people for recruitment and killings. "People are afraid and can no longer sleep properly at night," reports Blanchard Ayinza Boke. Gangs are also spreading fear and terror in Kinshasa with robberies in broad daylight and knife attacks. What's more, there has been no running water for months and there are often power cuts. "Life has become exhausting. We have to queue for water every day. But of course it's no comparison to what people have to endure in eastern Congo."
When will things finally get better? His son asks every day: "What about the war, is it over now?" says Blanchard Ayinza Boke. There is a great longing for peace among the population and there are many efforts to achieve it. One small initiative is the peace project in Uvira, which is supported by Connexio develop. Among other things, women from ethnic groups that are in conflict with each other plant their fields together. The project was temporarily interrupted. Although the rebels themselves did not reach Uvira, human rights violations were also committed by the armed forces that were supposed to protect Uvira.
At the beginning of April, the women decided that they would now continue. "This project is like a drop of water for peace. But it can become a small wave. It can set good things in motion." In previous violent conflicts, people who emigrated from Rwanda have often become victims of violence by the population in Uvira. This time, inter-confessional mediation was able to prevent worse. "They say that this is an effect of the peace project".
The Catholic Bishops' Conference and the "Eglise du Christ au Congo" association (which also includes the Methodist Church) have launched an initiative called the "Social Pact for Peace in the DR Congo and the Great Lakes Region". The aim is to invite all national and international, internal and external parties to the conflict to enter into a dialog. The basis of the dialog is the Ubuntu tradition, which is anchored in the spirituality of the Bantu people. "This initiative is supported by the population, but is opposed by the Congolese government. They probably fear that the issue of democratic principles will also be looked at more closely in the course of the peace negotiations. And they don't want that," suspects Blanchard Ayinza Boke. However, there is already a declaration of principle signed by the DR Congo and Rwanda that the ideas of the church initiative should be taken on board.
In the east of the DR Congo, the population has been exposed to violence and terror from armed groups for decades. The causes of the conflicts are highly complex and have to do with colonialism, the genocide in Rwanda, refugee movements and the situation in neighboring countries. Limited access to resources also plays a role, as do policies that instrumentalize the population for the benefit of the respective power blocs. Blanchard Ayinza Boke explained how highly fragile the situation in the Great Lakes region is. It remains to be seen whether the proposal for the peace agreement, which is expected as part of the Washington process, will take the fragility of the region into account. Several previous peace processes had failed.
And how is Blanchard Ayinza Boke himself? He lives in an inner struggle. There is the ideal of a country where life is good and at the same time the daily chaos. The struggle becomes greater the better you understand what is happening and that you are powerless to change it. Together with other people from the Congo, he would ask himself the same question as the women who went to Christ's tomb on Easter morning: "Who will roll aside the stone that lies at the entrance to the tomb?" By this he means: Who will lead our country out of the misery and chronic violence that has lasted for so long? How is it possible to gain control and lead the country on a path of peace?
Nevertheless, Blanchard remains Ayinza Boke. "I love this country, I have my family and friends here". And as a coordinator, he can contribute to peace on a small scale. He also has a strong hope based on his Christian faith. "Justice, truth and good will one day gain the upper hand over evil. Christ was victorious on the cross." He told the 19 listeners that it is important not to get tired of believing and building a more just world. We all could and should sow seeds of peace.
The "Connexio Mission Talk" format offers the opportunity to come into direct contact with people from partner countries online. In the next Mission Talk on June 24, from 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm, Vladimir Fazekas will give an insight into the situation in Serbia. For months, many people have been demonstrating fiercely for more transparency and justice. How can the church spread hope and do good? Anyone who would like to take part in this discussion, which will be in German, can obtain the Zoom link up to one hour before the start from Urs Schweizer
Promoting peace
In South Kivu, people from different ethnic groups are persistently campaigning for peaceful coexistence: With mediations between families and individuals, with radio messages against hatred, with seminars, or by cultivating fields together. Further information
Make peace work possible!
