Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – More fighting has been reported in Kanyabayonga, an important strategic location in North Kivu, in eastern Congo. The fighting is taking place between the regular army and the “Mai-Mai” pro-government militias. According to the militia's leader, there has been some error. The government soldiers ran into an ambush laid by the Mai-Mai (allies of the army) against the rebels of the National Council for the Defense of the People (CNDP) of Laurent Nkunda.
It is an episode that shows just how much the situation in Kivu is worsening. There are various armed groups present in Kivu, however, it seems that only Nkunda's have a precise political plan: defend Tutsi locals from the attacks of former Rwandan Hutu soldiers in the region after 1994 (Nkunda's version); contribute to the instability of Kivu, in order to illegally exploit resources and create an autonomous state (according to independent observers).
The chaos that has been unleashed in the Congolese province undoubtedly favors the rebels, as does the complexity of the relations between the army and local and national politics. The representatives of North Kivu have accused other members of the National Assembly, of the government in the province, and other national institutions, of having made a “pact” with Laurent Nkunda's rebellion. They also demand an investigation on the “unexplainable economic gain” of several provincial leaders, the Congolese army, certain members of humanitarian aid organizations, and even “certain members of the central government.” There has even been talk of a division within the national army, between “loyalists” and those who side with Nkunda. The national army has once again been accused of violence and robbery against civilians. The National Network of NGOs for Human Rights in Congo (Renadhoc) denounced “the betrayal of political leaders towards their aggressors.”
According to Renadhoc, the proof of betrayal to the homeland can be seen in various events. Among these are named: “the non-execution of the arrest warrant for former general Laurent Nkunda,” “the abandoning of battlefield logistics by the national army, including uniforms...,” “the lack of clear orders among military hierarchy,” “moral and material support of the CNDP, on the part of Congolese officials.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 18/11/2008)
