66 years of DRC independence: Archbishop Muteba warns of nation’s collapse without reconciliation
The 66th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s independence was marked by a powerful call for national unity from the country’s top Catholic leader. Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lubumbashi and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), delivered a sobering message during a solemn mass at the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Lubumbashi.
In his homily, Archbishop Muteba painted a stark picture of a nation at a crossroads, warning that the Democratic Republic of Congo risks losing its very identity if political and social divisions persist unaddressed. The prelate emphasized that without genuine reconciliation and forgiveness among Congolese citizens, the country’s future remains perilously uncertain.
From division to destiny: the path to sustainable peace
Building consensus beyond conflict
The Archbishop’s address came at a critical moment, with the nation grappling with persistent security challenges, political tensions, and deep societal fractures. He urged all Congolese to view the independence anniversary not merely as a historical milestone, but as a pivotal opportunity for introspection and collective renewal.
“We must become a country that commands respect—not just on the continent, but across the globe,” declared Archbishop Muteba. “To achieve this, we need more than political agreements—we need a national consensus built on forgiveness and reconciliation. Without this foundation, our very survival as a nation is in question.”
The prelate’s words carried particular weight given his position as head of the Catholic Church in the DRC, a faith community that encompasses millions of Congolese across the country’s vast territory. His call resonated with the need for living together—a philosophy he described as the cornerstone of national cohesion.
A national philosophy for lasting unity
Archbishop Muteba went beyond mere rhetoric, outlining a vision where the philosophy of living together transcends political affiliations, ethnic divides, and regional loyalties. He argued that sustainable development, economic progress, and institutional reforms can only take root when rooted in genuine social cohesion.
“No constitution, no economic plan, no international partnership will save our nation if we cannot learn to live together with dignity,” he asserted. “The philosophy of living together must become our shared value, the compass that guides every decision we make as a people.”
The Archbishop’s message extended to all sectors of society, calling on political leaders, civil society, religious communities, and ordinary citizens to prioritize the common good over narrow interests. He specifically highlighted the importance of truth and justice as prerequisites for authentic reconciliation.
From warning to action: a call for collective responsibility
The prelate’s urgent appeal was not delivered in a vacuum. It followed months of escalating tensions in eastern provinces, where armed groups continue to destabilize communities despite international efforts. The Archbishop framed the independence anniversary as a moment for all Congolese to reclaim their agency in shaping the nation’s destiny.
“The 66 years since our independence are not just years on a calendar—they represent the lives of millions who have dreamed of a united, prosperous Congo,” he reflected. “We cannot let the divisions of the past determine the failures of our future. The time for action is now.”
His concluding words carried both urgency and hope: “We have been warned. Now it is our choice: will we remain a nation divided, or will we become a people united? The answer lies in each of us.”
