Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bukavu (Fides Service )- A reconciliatory gesture has been made by Xavier Chiribanya former governor of South Kivu (Democratic Congo), dismissed on 7 February (see Fides 9 February). The former governor has consigned a large quantity of arms, rifles, machine guns and bazookas to Shari Sharif head of the United Nations mission in Congo MONUC. The local Catholic Radio Maria Malkia wa Amani told Fides that the arsenal was handed over on 9 February at 10 am at the former governor’s residence at Nyofu, in the presence of the commander adjunct of the 10th army region, responsible for South-Kivu.
Consigning the weapons to the 10th army region, the MONUC representative voiced satisfaction and said he would like to “continue to work in collaboration with the 10th army region”.
When handing in the weapons the former governor claimed he was the victim of injustice. Radio Maria Malkia wa Amani reported that men in uniform sacked two houses belonging to the Governor, the house in Nyofu and another in his native town of Mbobero.
In Bukavu city there are weapons hidden all over the place. Since November 2003 with rumours of a fresh outbreak of civil war worried people in Bukavu have contacted MONUC to report large stores of arms in private homes.
At the same time as the ceremony for the consignment of the weapons there was to be a demonstration of jubilation by secondary school children, but for some unknown reason the event was cancelled at the last minute.
Radio Maria Malkia wa Amani concluded “Bukavu can breath again but the people must keep their eyes and ears open. While hidden arms remain danger is ever present ”.
(L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/2/2004 lines 30 words 335)
