Ituri Church Urges Armed Groups to Follow Simon Kimbangu

The Kimbanguist Church in Ituri has called on armed groups to abandon violence and take inspiration from the peaceful struggle of Simon Kimbangu, as religious leaders in Bunia used the April 6 commemoration to press for reconciliation and an end to bloodshed in the province as initially cited by Okapi Radio .

The appeal came during activities held to honor the prophet’s legacy and renew calls for peace in one of eastern DR Congo’s most volatile regions.

Speaking in Bunia, Isidore Kivukama, head of the Kimbanguist Church in the city, said armed actors should look to Simon Kimbangu’s non-violent resistance as a model for ending the cycles of conflict that continue to affect Ituri.

He said too much blood had already been shed and urged the “sons and daughters of Ituri” to choose peace over fratricidal violence.

The message carries added weight because April 6 now holds official national significance in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2023, the Congolese presidency confirmed the date as a public holiday dedicated to the struggle of Simon Kimbangu and African conscience, a move later reflected in broader national commemorations and public marches by Kimbanguists across the country .

The church’s intervention also comes as insecurity remains severe in Ituri. Recent reporting from MONUSCO says armed group activity has continued to drive civilian displacement in areas such as Djugu, while humanitarian access has also been disrupted in the province .

Against that backdrop, the Bunia appeal framed peace not only as a moral duty but as an urgent next step for communities facing prolonged instability.

Church leaders also linked their peace message to national cohesion, warning against internal divisions at a time when DR Congo continues to face wider security pressures. In Bunia, the commemorative activities were used to reinforce a simple message: those fueling instability should stop the killing and help restore peace in Ituri.