Youth from Goma and Bukavu Urge Inclusive Dialogue to Resolve Kivu Crisis

Bukavu, March 22, 2026 - Around one hundred young leaders from Goma and Bukavu, including students and members of local youth committees, have called on the DRC government and the AFC-M23 movement to engage in sincere and inclusive dialogue to end decades of conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The appeal followed a two-day workshop held in Bukavu from March 14 to 15, organized by the Kivu Social Festival under the theme: “Youth of North and South Kivu: Catalysts for Peace, Resilience, and Participatory Governance.” The event aimed to position youth as central actors in peacebuilding and regional development. In a final declaration, participants urged authorities and M23 leaders to “prioritize sincere and inclusive dialogue,” promote social cohesion, and combat all forms of community stigmatization. They also called on young people across Kivu and the DRC to actively participate in governance and peace processes. Regional, African, and international organizations were asked to support peace efforts responsibly and impartially, ensuring lasting results. The youth pledged to resist divisive and tribal rhetoric, instead fostering hope, resilience, and reconstruction in their communities. Blaise Rugusha, Director General of the Kivu Social Festival, highlighted the positive energy and creativity of Kivu’s youth, emphasizing that the region is defined not only by conflict but also by a generation determined to transform its future. The workshop comes amid recent diplomatic progress. Following persistent tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, a March 17-18 meeting in Washington, D.C., mediated by the United States, produced “concrete measures” to accelerate the implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) welcomed these commitments, noting they are a step toward reducing tensions and strengthening trust while respecting each country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.