On an official mission to the United States to follow up on the religious diplomacy initiative launched by President Félix Tshisekedi, the President’s roving ambassador, Antoine Ghonda Mangalibi, took part this past weekend in Arizona (Phoenix-USA) in a memorial service honoring Charlie Kirk, a rising figure of American conservative Christianity who was brutally assassinated in August.
A historic memorial at state farm
The commemoration, held at State Farm before a crowd of more than 100,000 participants, unfolded under heavy security and brought together a roster of high-profile political, religious, and media figures. Featured speakers included:
- Donald Trump, former President of the United States
- JD Vance, Vice President of the United States
- Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA and widow of Charlie Kirk
- Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health
- Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
- Tulsi Gabbard, Director of the National Intelligence Agency
- Stephen Miller, Deputy White House Chief of Staff
- Donald Trump Jr., businessman and political figure
- Tucker Carlson, political commentator
- Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House (R-La.)
The lineup of speakers and the massive crowd of mourners underscored the influence and legacy of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, who became known for his fiery defense of Christian values, close ties to America’s evangelical movement, and outspoken advocacy for religious freedom. His killing, still clouded by unanswered questions, has turned his name into a symbol of unapologetic religious activism.
Congo’s presence at the event
Ambassador Ghonda was joined by Pastor Jacques Kambala, one of President Tshisekedi’s spiritual advisers. Together, they met with Pastor Travis Johnson, who had already made a mark in Kinshasa last July when he led, at Ghonda’s invitation, a major delegation of evangelical pastors from the White House Faith Office. That mission formed part of Tshisekedi’s broader religious diplomacy drive, designed to strengthen both spiritual and strategic ties between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United States.
Building on july’s momentum in Kinshasa
During their July mission, Pastor Johnson and his delegation held talks with senior Congolese leaders, including President Tshisekedi himself. Discussions centered on the security crisis in eastern DRC, efforts to consolidate peace, and the recognition of atrocities endured by Congolese communities over the past three decades—atrocities Kinshasa has formally described as a Congolese genocide.
Following that visit, Pastor Johnson launched a nationwide awareness campaign in the U.S., steadily rallying prominent voices from across society – religious leaders, politicians, athletes, journalists, top television hosts, and writers – to raise the Congolese cause in American and international public opinion.
Consolidating gains and deepening initiatives
The Washington meeting, held alongside the memorial for Charlie Kirk, marks the next step in this process. Ambassador Ghonda and his partners now seek to deepen the initiatives first launched in Kinshasa and sustain the momentum of international mobilization.
Their stated goals are twofold: to promote lasting peace in the DRC, particularly in the conflict-plagued East, and to secure official recognition of the Congolese genocide. To advance this cause, a petition drive has been launched with the goal of collecting one million signatures across the United States and beyond.
JEK
