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The World Council of Churches (WCC) welcomes the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda on 4 December 2025. We receive this development with hope as a significant step toward restoring trust, ending violence, and advancing peace in the region.
The WCC expresses its support for all efforts that promote dialogue, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence. We pray earnestly for all parties to remain committed to sustaining this agreement and to honour fully the commitments they have undertaken, particularly the permanent ceasefire. We trust that this accord may serve as a crucial window of opportunity toward a lasting and comprehensive peace for the people of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, who have endured decades of suffering.
We also acknowledge the complementary roles played by international and regional processes, including African Union-led initiatives, and we call upon the international community not to relent in its engagement and support until permanent peace, security, and stability are achieved in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider Great Lakes region.
The WCC stands in solidarity with the churches and communities of the region and reaffirms its commitment to accompanying peace efforts through prayer, advocacy, and pastoral presence. We continue to pray that justice, reconciliation, and human dignity may prevail, and that the promise of peace embodied in this agreement may bear lasting fruit.
Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay
General Secretary
World Council of Churches
