Conflict in the DRC

While war in the DRC is a tragedy, it is also an opportunity for the body of Christ to grow in faith and experience a spiritual awakening.

The war raging in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a tragedy that deeply affects the lives of millions. The conflict in this region is fueled by complex causes: power struggles, ethnic rivalries, exploitation of natural resources, and foreign interference. To understand the situation in a broader framework, examining how the Bible addresses the themes of war, suffering, and justice is essential. The Bible offers a divine perspective on war, the role of leaders, and the hope for a future of peace.

The war in the eastern DRC is not just a political or military phenomenon but also a spiritual one. It raises profound questions about human nature, the corruption of the heart, and God’s call for reconciliation and justice. By studying war in the light of Scripture, we can grasp the spiritual and moral principles that guide believers in the face of global crises like this one.

But what does the Bible say? How should Christians understand this conflict in light of Scripture?

What has happened with brothers and sisters in this war-torn area?

The suffering of civilians in eastern DRC reflects the human condition as described in the Bible. Isaiah wrote,

Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey (Isaiah 59:14-15 NKJV).1

The Congolese people endure relentless violence, often caused by power struggles between armed groups but also by deep injustices within the government and the international community. The Bible calls for the restoration of justice and the protection of the oppressed.

One of the greatest Biblical hopes is the promise of a future reign of peace under the authority of the Messiah. This vision of a world without war and suffering is a source of hope for all those who suffer today in the DRC and beyond.

Testimonies and Real-Life Cases Of War In Eastern DRC

The impact of the war in eastern DRC goes beyond numbers and statistics. Behind every attack and every forced displacement, there are human lives, shattered families, and broken souls. The Bible teaches us that God is close to those who suffer (Psalm 34:18).

Here are some testimonies that reveal the deep human tragedy of this war and how faith in God brings hope even in the midst of trials.

Testimony Of Our Late Bro. Junior In Goma

When Goma fell on January 26, 2025, a feeling of terror overwhelmed us. We knew that Bukavu, just 100 km to the south, would be the next target. But amid the panic, an act of courage emerged. Some soldiers of the Congolese army (FARDC) refused to surrender to Goma. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, they decided to hold their ground. For them, abandoning their city without a fight was unthinkable.

At dawn on Tuesday, January 28, the sound of gunfire shattered the silence. The M23 launched a full-scale assault, determined to take the city. The remaining government troops put up unexpected resistance, a glimmer of hope in the darkness. The fighting spread through the neighborhoods, bullets whistling in the air. We, the civilians, were trapped, desperately seeking shelter. Many found refuge in the Ecclesia Hall of Goma.

Bro. Junior, a member of the Goma Ecclesia and a Sunday School teacher lost his life, taken from us by the brutality of war. He was in his shop when M23 fighters ordered him to come out. Frightened, he refused. Without hesitation, they opened fire, hitting him in the leg. He bled profusely, and we lost him.

The death of Bro. Junior is a heartbreaking reminder of the reality of war. He was not a soldier, not a combatant—just a man trying to survive. His death is a tragedy, a war crime, an act of barbarism.

Testimony from Bukavu: Sis. Anifa

After the fall of Goma, we knew the threat was drawing closer, that the shadow of war was stretching toward us. And our fears quickly became a reality. In early February, the M23 seized the territory of Kalehe, then Muyange, and other localities, spreading terror and devastation in its wake.

Many people were forced to flee, including our brothers and sisters from the Kalonge Ecclesia. They had to abandon their homes, belongings, memories, and entire lives in the desperate hope of finding refuge in Bukavu. They left everything behind, driven only by the instinct to survive, their eyes filled with fear and despair.

Then, violence erupted in Kavumu, just 25 km from Bukavu. Instead of providing protection, our own soldiers, desperate and angry, began firing in protest over unpaid salaries. It was in this chaos that our Sis. Anifa was struck. A bullet hit her in the back, leaving her in a pool of blood. Young volunteers, driven by incredible courage, braved the dangers to rescue her. They transported her to Bukavu, where she received emergency care at the General Hospital, thanks to the intervention of the Red Cross.

This testimony is a call to solidarity, compassion, and action. We cannot remain idle in the face of the suffering of our brothers and sisters. We must offer them our support, our help, our love. We must be their voice, their hope, their light in the darkness.

How should we live in a land of such injustice?

War: A Consequence Of Human Sin

According to the Bible, war is often the consequence of sin and human rebellion against God.

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. (James 4:1-2 NKJV).

War stems from an insatiable desire for power, wealth, and domination over others. In the Bible, war is a result of human sin. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, the earth has been marked by violence and corruption. In Genesis 4:8, we see the first recorded murder when Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy. This story shows that violence is a consequence of the human heart, corrupted by sin.

Genesis 6:11-13 (NKJV) describes the earth before the Flood:

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them.”

The DRC, like many nations at war, suffers from this pervasive violence. Armed groups, resource-driven conflicts, massacres, and forced displacements are modern manifestations of this Biblical reality. The world is corrupted by sin, and violence is one of its consequences.

God, War, and Justice

God is a God of justice. He is not indifferent to the suffering of the innocent and the injustices committed by men.

O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. (Psalm 10:17-18).

God sees the suffering of oppressed peoples, including those in eastern DRC. He promises to intervene on behalf of the victims and to judge the oppressors. This is a comforting truth for those who suffer injustice today.

The Spiritual War Behind Human Conflicts

The Bible teaches us that wars are not only human struggles but also a reflection of a spiritual battle between good and evil. The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

The expression “fight the good fight” is a Biblical metaphor that invites Christians to persevere in their faith and to fight against the forces of evil. The nature of this fight is spiritual because it is not against people but against spiritual powers. It is a struggle against sin, temptations, and the wiles of the devil (sins). It is also a fight for faith because it involves remaining faithful to God and his teachings, even in the face of difficulties (1 Timothy 6:12). It is a fight to keep one’s faith intact and not to be discouraged in difficulties, such as wars, diseases, poverty, etc.

Wars In the Old Testament: God and Divine Justice

In the Old Testament, war appears as an unavoidable reality in the history of Israel. God himself sometimes intervenes in conflicts on behalf of his people, as in the victories won by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua. However, these wars were often seen as God’s judgments against pagan nations (for example, the extermination of the Canaanites, Deuteronomy 9:4-5). War was perceived as a divine test, and God commanded the Israelites to prepare to defend their land.

When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. (Deuteronomy 20:1-2 NIV).

However, war in the Old Testament was not simply a matter of military victory but also of loyalty to God and respect for his commandments. In passages like Psalm 34:14 and Isaiah 2:4, we see that God calls for peace and justice: “Seek peace and pursue it.”

In Isaiah 1:15-17, God calls his people to reject violence and practice justice.

When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

War in the New Testament: Jesus, Prince of Peace

The approach to war in the New Testament changes radically. Jesus Christ preaches peace, reconciliation, and love even for enemies. In Matthew 5:9, he declares, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” This saying announces a reversal of worldly values. Jesus teaches that the real fight is not against men but against sin.

In John 18:36, Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews, but my kingdom is not from the world.”

Jesus did not come to establish the kingdom of God by war but by love and sacrifice. He teaches us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), and in Luke 6:27-28, he reminds us we must love our enemies.

However, this does not mean that Christians should remain passive in the face of injustice. Our response is to appeal to our heavenly Father for intervention and to reflect His character and love of justice to the world around us.

How Do We Prepare for the Coming Kingdom of God?

We know that the Kingdom of God is a certain promise. But while we wait for its fulfillment, what should we do?

1. Pray for peace and justice (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Let us pray for the reconciliation of the DRC.
2. Living according to the principles of the Kingdom of God. This includes forgiving those who have wronged us, loving our enemies, serving others with humility, and practicing justice. Christians must embody the values of the Kingdom of God here on earth. This means living according to justice, peace, and reconciliation. Matthew 5:14-16 reminds us that we are the light of the world.
3. Living according to the principles of the Kingdom of God is about outward obedience to God’s commandments while reflecting His love and righteousness in our daily lives.
4. Living according to the values of the Kingdom (Romans 14:17) means having a compassionate heart toward those in need, being humble and grateful for God’s blessings, seeking peace and harmony in our relationships, demonstrating patience and perseverance in trials, and having an attitude of unconditional love.
5. Sharing the gospel message (Matthew 28:19-20).
6. Placing Our Hope in Christ’s return. In the face of war and suffering in the world, we, as Christians, must place our hope in God’s promise. Although war is a painful reality today, we know that one day, God will establish a Kingdom of peace, and Jesus Christ will reign as the Prince of Peace. While waiting for that glorious day, we are called to be instruments of peace and justice in a broken world. Involvement of Christians in the pursuit of peace in the DRC (Matthew 5:9).
7. Being peacemakers.

The Bible calls us to three fundamental actions:

1. Denounce injustice with wisdom (Isaiah 1:17).
2. Love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
3. Work for reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).

This means that Christians must be mediators of peace by following God’s commandment of loving one’s neighbor and adhering to the teachings of His Word.

Today, in the DRC, the war can be a catalyst for revival, leading people to turn to God with seriousness and reject sin. Although the war in the DRC is a tragedy, it is also an opportunity for the body of Christ to grow in faith and experience a spiritual awakening. Believers are called to persevere, pray, and hope in the promise of the Kingdom of God, where justice and eternal peace will reign.

War should not extinguish our faith. We are called to be lights in the darkness, to pray for peace, and to prepare for the coming of God’s Kingdom.

Emil Mukambilwa,
Bukavu Ecclesia, DRC