Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - At least 22 people were killed last week in Luozi, in the southeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in fighting that broke out between the military and members of a religious-political movement called Bundu dia Kongo (BDK).
The events took place the day after the arrival of police reinforcements to the city, located 150 km to the southeast of Kinshasa. The military had reinforced their presence in Luozi, following the killing of three people, burned alive by the supposed members of the BDK.
The country’s authorities say that the events began when members of the movement gathered outside their headquarters and began to throw rocks at the police, who later responded first with tear-gas and later with firearms.
The group’s leader, Ne Muanda Nsemi, has denied accusations, calling it a “conspiracy against BDK.”
The United Nations, that has an important role in the country in insuring the peace accord signed in 2003, sent its own representative to Congo to verify the situation. Following the evaluation, the UN Mission in Congo decided to send in more “Blue Helmets” to southern Congo. Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops of the province have called for peace.
In the last general elections that were held in South Congo, the opposition was beaten by President Kabila. Some newspapers of the Congo say that although the government has the right and duty to establish order, the police operations should be conducted in such a way, that it does not create suspicions of possible aggression, on their part, against the opposition.
Last year, in various cities throughout the western province, over 100 people assassinated in violent confrontations that took place between the military and members of the BDK (see Fides 12/2/2008).
Bundu dia Kongo (which in Kikongo means, “Cohesion of the Congo”) is a social-political-cultural movement that began in the late 50s. After having played a part in the fight for independence, it practically disappeared under the dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko. In the early 90s, it reappeared taking on a religious connotation. It has a great influence over the inhabitants of the Bas-Congo, especially those living in the jungle regions. Laying claim to the traditional identity of the inhabitants and the ethnic roots of the region, the BDK seeks to reestablish an African monarchy that included what is today Bas-Congo and to “restore” the region to the people of South Congo. The movement is known for its hostility towards “non-natives” of the Bas-Congo province and for its resistance to the central government. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 5/3/2008 righe 36, parole 418)
