Catholic priests and nuns from Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have gathered in Kigali for discussions aimed at promoting peace and mutual understanding among the people of these three countries.
The two-day discussions, which began this Monday, November 10, 2025, are organized by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, through its project “Amani Kwetu.”
The meeting is being held at Centre Missionnaire Lavigerie in Kigali, with the goal of strengthening peace and harmony among communities in Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The gathering brings together priests, nuns, and lay people who serve in the Justice and Peace Commission from the three neighboring countries: Rwanda, DRC, and Burundi.
In Rwanda, participants came from the dioceses of Cyangugu and Nyundo, while those from DR Congo are from Bukavu and Goma. Delegates from Burundi are from Bujumbura and Ngozi and all dioceses that share borders with Rwanda.
Fr. Valens Niragire, Secretary-General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region, emphasized that this project is a major initiative for strengthening peace and collaboration among Christians and residents of the region.
He said: “These discussions aim to reinforce peace, as the project states, Amani Kwetu, meaning ‘Peace in Our Home’. We believe that clergy and religious men and women who serve in various regions play an important role in building lasting peace. That’s why we place them at the forefront of this journey, to be bridges of peace rather than walls that divide communities.”
Fr. Niragire added that the project aligns with the broader mission of Catholic bishops in the Great Lakes Region to promote peace and unity among people, especially in border communities.
He explained: “The Great Lakes Region consists of diverse ethnic groups, but we share one family, God’s family. We must help Christians understand their calling to be ambassadors of peace, to work together toward unity, and to reject any speech or actions that divide people.”
The “Amani Kwetu” project focuses on bringing together religious leaders, journalists, and social media influencers to jointly combat hate speech and promote constructive dialogue and understanding among citizens.
Its activities include training sessions on the role of the media in fighting hate speech, as well as discussions aimed at fostering peace on social media platforms.
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