The Amani Festival returned for its 11th edition after nearly a year’s hiatus from April 10 to 12, 2026, in the city of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Yousoupha, Innoss’B, RJ Kanierra, Jean Goubald, Ferre Gola, and other music artists from various regions joined the residents of Lubumbashi for the revival of the peace festival. The Amani Festival is not just a cultural event: It is a collective experience, an immersion in resilience and creativity, according to its organizers and participants.
The DRC has been grappling with numerous armed conflicts since the 1990s. The M23 rebel group, formed in 2012, took over the eastern city of Goma in late January 2025, and has since continued to capture more territory. DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa said in February 2025 that at least 7,000 people had been killed in fighting since January of that year. Nearly 7 million people have been displaced across the country due to decades of conflict, largely living in dire conditions.
According to Vianey Bisimwa, the festival director, more than twenty artists from various parts of the DRC and beyond, along with over 35,000 festivalgoers, were expected at this cultural event held at the Kiwele school complex. The first thing festivalgoers saw when entering school grounds was several posters hanging over the lawn; festivalgoers had to walk through the concrete walkways to find booths where NGOs raised awareness on various topics or where companies showcased their products and services.
Under the theme “Redevenir” (Becoming Again), this edition of the festival is part of a movement toward renewal. In a country plagued by persistent conflicts, the Amani Festival reaffirms its unifying role by championing the values of solidarity, selflessness, and volunteerism.
Albert Cubaka is a cultural operator based in Kinshasa. He has been participating since the first edition in 2014, and for him, this year stands out because of the organizers’ resilience. “I didn’t think this edition would go ahead because of the war ravaging the city of Goma, and when I heard it was being held in Lubumbashi, I booked a flight right away to attend,” he said.
Beyond being a major cultural and musical gathering, the Amani Festival continues its mission: to make cultural heritage a powerful vehicle for peace, social cohesion, peaceful coexistence, and socio-economic development. “Bringing people together through culture and thus offering a space for celebration, far from daily problems and the aftermath of war, where the peoples of the Great Lakes region can meet, reflect, and commit to a better shared future,” the festival stated in a press release.
Prime Minister Suminawa said that bringing together tens of thousands of citizens from all walks of life “gives a face and voice to a youth that is engaged, creative, and resolutely focused on progress.” She added, “Beyond its festive nature, this event powerfully reminds us that culture, art, and music are not merely embellishments, but powerful drivers of peace, unity, and structural transformation in our society.”
Historically, nine of the festival’s 10 past editions have taken place in Goma. The only exception was in 2023, when the event was moved to Bukavu in South Kivu province, of which many areas have been under the rule of M23 forces for over a year. The 2024 edition also saw cancellations and rescheduling (the festival was originally scheduled for February, then rescheduled for June, and finally held in November), illustrating the fragile security situation in eastern DRC.
For a weekend, Lubumbashi became the capital of peace, where every note of music and every word spoken serves as a reminder that rebuilding together is possible. For this city, hosting the festival represents an immediate economic opportunity. According to Congolese Minister of Culture Yolande Elebe, the event directly stimulates the hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants) and generates seasonal jobs for young local technicians and artisans.
Originally from Goma but a resident of Lubumbashi for over 10 years, Mireille Kasereka came here to study and ended up staying in the city. Currently working as an agricultural economist in the province, she rushed back to Lubumbashi so as not to miss the Amani Festival. “I think this is an opportunity to celebrate peace, especially to discuss opportunities for peace in our country. It’s great that the festival is being held here. I just took the chance to meet people at the festival.”
Mireille enjoyed the music, the panel discussions, and also the products, including the “Eclat tropical” juice sold by Christianne Binja, an agribusiness entrepreneur. Through her enterprise Bustani nasi, she has been producing juice brands in Haut-Katanga province for several years. “Overall, the festival went well; I showcased the three juice brands I produce. Festival-goers tried our juice and gave us feedback. As an entrepreneur, it was a great experience because I networked with other entrepreneurs and businesses. Others will reach out to me, and that’s also one of the benefits of the Amani Festival,” she explains.
“Each edition has its own unique character, and I think this one stands out because we’re combining Congolese artistic creativity with the cultural industry to build a resilient economy. Bringing together peace promotion, art, and entrepreneurship is a good thing,” says Albert Cubaka, a cultural operator from Kinshasa. He will return to Kinshasa with several works of art purchased from artisans who exhibited at the Amani Festival.
Balancing logistical adjustments with staying true to its message, the 2026 Amani Festival illustrates the challenges of a cultural event on the move, while reaffirming its primary mission: to make music a vehicle for social cohesion. The Amani Festival initiative was born at the Goma Cultural Center, known as the “Youth House,” with young volunteers determined to make culture a tool for expression and the promotion of peace. Future editions will be closely watched to see whether this relocation continues or if the festival returns to the city of Goma.
Keywords: DRC, Congo, DR Congo, peace, Amani festival, music festival, conflict, conflict resolution
Akilimali Saleh Chomachoma
Akilimali Saleh Chomachoma is a dedicated and ambitious independent journalist who reports from Congo and central Africa around a decade now. He produces stories on issues such as: breaking news , business, politics, justice, environment including climate change, and health. Having started out in radio before migrating to the international online press, his work focuses on how local communities are part of the solution to the problems they face. Many of his articles are in French but he has produced some English articles for Zenger, Degree, IPS and Quartz. Akilimali is a regular contributor to BBC English-language programs, including the BBC World Service for the latest news from the region. His aim is to cover the news in a conflict zone with complete independence.
