On October 3, 2026, a massive gathering of young people took place at the Tata Raphaël Stadium in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The event was organized by Serge Etinkum, coordinator of the Youth Speak movement, to show support for the 26-day prayer initiative led by Archbishop Évariste Ejiba Yamapia. The prayer campaign, which began in early September, aimed to bring peace, security, development, and a better future for the youth of the country.
The stadium was filled with young people dressed in matching T-shirts, caps, and hats, carrying banners and placards with messages calling for peace, unity, and national cohesion. The event was a demonstration of civic engagement and a show of force by the youth, who wanted to give a popular dimension to the spiritual initiative. Serge Etinkum emphasized that the Congolese youth should not remain spectators in the face of the country's crises.
The 26-day prayer campaign, led by Archbishop Évariste Ejiba Yamapia, focused on the 26 provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The initiative, described as a "spiritual dialogue for the nation," aimed to accompany and prepare the country spiritually for the peace dialogue process. Serge Etinkum praised the archbishop's work and emphasized that the youth want a genuine, durable peace that respects the dignity of the Congolese people and the integrity of the country's territory.
The event at the Tata Raphaël Stadium was both spiritual and civic. The mobilized youth wanted to show that they can invest in public space not only to claim their rights but also to convey a message of peace. Serge Etinkum stressed that the youth should be a full-fledged actor in the quest for peace, and that they should be mobilized, visible, and engaged while defending the country's sovereignty and the dignity of its people.
The prayer campaign and the gathering at the Tata Raphaël Stadium are part of a broader context of efforts to bring peace and stability to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country has faced numerous challenges, including conflict, insecurity, and humanitarian crises. The youth mobilization for peace and national unity is seen as a positive step towards addressing these challenges.
Serge Etinkum's movement, Youth Speak, has been actively engaged in promoting peace and civic engagement among young people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The movement's efforts have been recognized by various stakeholders, including religious leaders and government officials. The archbishop's initiative and the youth mobilization are seen as complementary to the government's efforts to promote peace and stability.
The gathering at the Tata Raphaël Stadium concluded with a message of hope and a call for continued prayer and action for peace and national unity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The event demonstrated the potential of youth mobilization and civic engagement in promoting positive change in the country. Key stakeholders, including government officials and religious leaders, are expected to continue supporting and engaging with the youth in their efforts to promote peace and stability.
Key points
- The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched a 26-day prayer campaign led by Archbishop Évariste Ejiba Yamapia to promote peace and national unity.
- Youth mobilization has been a key aspect of the prayer campaign, with thousands of young people gathering at the Tata Raphaël Stadium in Kinshasa to show support for the initiative.
- The event was organized by Serge Etinkum, coordinator of the Youth Speak movement, which aims to promote peace, civic engagement, and national unity among young people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
