Democratic Republic of the Congo
When Pope Francis launched that now-historic appeal in Kinshasa: «Hands off Africa, hands off the Democratic Republic of the Congo!», an entire people wept with hope. It was January 2023.
Three years later, the East of our country continues to bleed. Why?
Because for a long time we thought of peace as a military matter. Blue helmets are sent, agreements are signed in Luanda, Nairobi, Washington, and Doha, laid-down weapons are counted. But peace does not return.
As researchers, we learn to read the situation from another perspective: it is necessary to be close to the population, guaranteeing their survival through an economic policy suited to local realities, lasting peace, and a better future.
Today, who maintains peace in the villages where others fail to reach? The Catholic Church. Its parishes, its religious sisters, its priests. It is present because it is sober and rooted in the territory.
This is what Europe teaches us through foundations like spazio + spadoni: true cooperation between the DRC and the West must not only be mineral and economic. It must also be a cooperation of thought on peace.
Peace will come when every intervention resembles a mission more than an administration.
