Thousands of Congolese churchgoers join nationwide marches against eastern violence

Protesters march during a protest march that was called by Congo's Catholic and Protestant churches to protest against escalating violence in the East of the country, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, December 4, 2022. REUTERS/Justin Makangara

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Christians took to the streets across Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday to protest violence in eastern regions, as church leaders accused the international community of hypocrisy over Rwanda's alleged role in the fighting.

After Sunday services, churchgoers in the capital Kinshasa and other major cities heeded a call from the conference of Catholic bishops to march against the conflict with the M23 rebel group, which Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting.