Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- “The highest national authorities will have to explain the terrible lack of organisation which makes our country look like a banana republic a jungle without order or lay, where only the stronger survive, those with a social position which brings them advantages without giving account to anyone”. In the Democratic Republic of Congo Le Phare daily newspaper has called for a transparent and rigorous investigation into the latest in a series of air crashes involving Congolese civil airliners. On 5 October an Antonov An-26 crashed on a district of the capital Kinshasa killing 50 people and injuring 30. Many of the casualties were in the houses crushed by the falling aeroplane.
The Minster of transport Rémy Henry Kuseyo, has been dismissed by President Laurent Kabila. The dismissed minister made no declaration but in a TV interview his wife accused the government of using her husband as a scapegoat. The local press questions the efficiency of aircraft maintenance, procedure to obtain aeronautic licences. Congo has mourned its dead after several air crashes in recent years v old Russian or Ukrainian aeroplanes which are not given proper maintenance. Air transport is the only way to cross this vast country which has no real road infrastructure. The National Assembly has set up a special commission to investigate the crash and establish who is responsible.
For their part the Catholic Bishops of Congo expressed sincere condolence to the families of the victims and called on the competent authorities to exercise "better control on aircraft to avoid similar tragedies in the future”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/10/2007 righe 24 parole 311)
