Urgent: pray for peace in Goma
A call to pray for “a miracle of peace” in DR Congo
Updated 29 January
Photo: “Please pray for a miracle of peace.” – Rt Rev Martin Gordon, Bishop of Goma, DRC
As fighting continues between M23 rebels and Congolese forces in Goma, DR Congo, the bishop of Goma, CMS mission partner Martin Gordon, is calling on Christians worldwide to pray for “a miracle of peace” for a nation weary of violent conflict.
[Thankfully, Martin and his family have been able to relocate to a safe location, while he continues to use his role to raise prayer and advocate for the people in Goma.]
29 January 2025
Bishop Martin is seeking to use his position to advocate for the people of DRC. He has issued the Goma Call for Peace through the Anglican Communion News Service.
“The immediate and decisive response of the international community is what we are hoping for, as well as a call for the global church to pray,” Bishop Martin told CMS.
The Goma Call for Peace issued, 28 January 2025
Call from the Bishop of Goma for the international community to act immediately and decisively for peace in eastern DRC.
With the escalation of the conflict in eastern DRC following Sunday’s incursion of Rwandan troops into Congolese sovereign territory on the Goma/Rubavu border, and mindful of the subsequent humanitarian and security risks in the region, the international community must act now.
In solidarity with those suffering in Goma and across eastern DRC, we call for:
- The immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities and respect of the existing ceasefire agreement.
- The protection of the civilian population and an urgent humanitarian response including the restoration of power and water to the city.
- The withdrawal of those external forces from DRC soil which are in clear violation of DRC’s territorial sovereignty. This includes the M23 and the RDF.
- A resumption of dialogue in good faith between Kigali and Kinshasa believing that peaceful and diplomatic means are the only way to end the conflict which has already caused untold suffering.
- The international community to invest every effort and to consider using all possible means to bring peace to eastern DRC.
People in the region want only peace.
28 January 2025
On Tuesday 28 January, Bishop Martin reported: “The city of Goma still has almost no power and many areas no water. The M23 is pushing to take control of the city. The FARDC [Congolese army] are holding out and pushing back particularly around the airport and other areas. Civilians are being caught in the crossfire. Four thousand prisoners have escaped. Most people are terrified in their homes.”
Bishop Martin is part of a group of people within CMS whose mission focus is making disciples of Jesus in areas where armed conflict has been a continual challenge, including DR Congo, Sudan and South Sudan.
“Please pray for the role of the Church in pastoral care, peace-making and reconciliation,” he said.
Further prayer points from Bishop Martin:
- “For an immediate cessation of fighting and respect of the existing ceasefire agreement
- For protection of the population
- For a rapid humanitarian response – to re-establish water and power, for food, medical care
- For the withdrawal of the Rwandan forces from DRC soil
- For the courageous intervention of the international community
- For the resumption of honest dialogue to find a lasting solution
- For a miracle of peace”
For more about Bishop Martin’s work, sign up to receive Hope from the Edges; the upcoming February edition features him sharing about recent developments in DRC before this current situation gripped Goma.
