President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo on Monday received a delegation of senior church leaders at his Mount Ngaliema office, where peace in eastern DRC and economic revitalization topped the agenda—just days after Uganda reopened key land borders with eastern Congo, including zones controlled by the M23 rebel group.
The delegation was led by Dr. Robert Kayanja, personal pastor to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and Archbishop Évariste Ejiba Yamapia, President of the Revival Church in Congo (ERC).
The talks focused on the pacification of the volatile eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and promoting economic recovery through agriculture and cross-border cooperation.
“We thank God for President Tshisekedi, thank God for allowing us to be received on Congolese soil,” said Pastor Kayanja after the meeting.
The high-level religious visit comes on the heels of a politically sensitive move by President Museveni, who last week ordered the reopening of border crossings at Bunagana and Ishasha—areas under the control of the M23 rebels.
Ugandan military officials confirmed the decision was made to restore vital trade links between border communities.
Chris Magezi, military assistant to the Chief of Defense Forces of the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF), said those who had previously blocked the crossings were under investigation.
“It was a criminal and counterproductive move to block meaningful trade between neighbouring communities whose survival and prosperity depends on it,” Magezi posted on X.
While Kinshasa has long accused Uganda of covert ties to M23 rebels, the renewed cross-border activity raises diplomatic and economic questions at a delicate time for the region.
Monday’s meeting between President Tshisekedi and the faith leaders is being viewed as part of broader efforts to engage multiple stakeholders in regional peacebuilding, including spiritual leaders with cross-border influence.
The emphasis on agriculture as a pillar of economic revival signals a potential shift from a purely security-driven agenda toward sustainable development in conflict-affected areas.