Amani Festival relocated to Lubumbashi amid insecurity in Goma

Artists at a festival concert promoting peace

LUBUMBASHI — The 11th Amani Festival, long a hallmark of Goma’s cultural calendar and a symbol of youth‑led peacebuilding in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, will be held in Lubumbashi from April 10 to 12, 2026, organisers announced, citing security concerns in North Kivu.

Festival director Augustin Mosange said the decision followed assessments that many artists and participants would be unable or unwilling to travel to Goma because the city is not under Kinshasa’s control.

“We are aware that there are several constraints the festival would face if it were organised in Goma, notably cancellations by artists who cannot travel to a zone that is not under Kinshasa’s control. So we believe this is among the reasons why the festival has been relocated,” Mosange said.

Launched in 2014, the Amani Festival has grown into a powerful platform for promoting peaceful coexistence in a region long affected by armed conflict. Each year, the event brings together local and international artists, activists, and thousands of spectators to celebrate culture as a tool for reconciliation and hope. For many residents of Goma, the festival’s presence has been a rare public affirmation of normalcy and civic life.

Since January 2025, Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, has been under the control of the M23 rebel movement, backed by Rwanda, according to multiple observers. The shift in control has disrupted travel, logistics, and public events, prompting organisers to seek a safer venue to ensure the festival can proceed.

Local reactions were mixed. Some residents expressed disappointment at the festival’s absence from Goma this year. David Kas, a Goma resident, described the move as “a small disappointment” but acknowledged the necessity:

“We know it is also a way for the festival to survive despite the insecurity experienced here in the east of the country.”

Organisers’ priorities and plans

Organisers said the relocation is temporary and aimed at preserving the festival’s continuity and safety. Programming in Lubumbashi will retain the festival’s core themes of peacebuilding, youth engagement, and cultural exchange. The team plans to include performances, workshops, and panels that highlight the role of the arts in conflict transformation and community resilience.

Officials also indicated efforts to maintain connections with Goma‑based artists and community groups, ensuring that voices from the east remain central to the festival’s agenda despite the change of venue.

While the move underscores the persistent security challenges in eastern Congo, organisers and supporters say the festival’s relocation should not be seen as a retreat from its mission. Instead, they frame it as an adaptive step to keep the Amani spirit alive and to continue using culture as a lever for peace until conditions allow a safe return to Goma.

Amani Festival Lubumbashi 2026