AFRICA/RWANDA - “Peace is built by offering opportunities for development and reintegrating former soldiers and child soldiers” say Catholic Bishops of Rwanda and Burundi

Wednesday, 5 May 2004

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Rome (Fides Service)- What is the situation in Rwanda and Burundi 10 years after the genocide in Rwanda? This was the questions which the Bishops of Rwanda and Burundi asked themselves during a meeting of the Association of the Bishops’ Conferences of Rwanda e Burundi (ACOREB), 2 to 4 May in Kabgayi (Rwanda).
According to a statement sent to Fides, “the Bishops reflected on the situation of precariousness in which the peoples of Rwanda and Burundi live. Security is not entirely guaranteed; but important progress has been made in Rwanda, 10 years after the tragic genocide, and in Burundi, after a fratricidal war which has lasted 10 years”.
The Bishops are concerned for the social and economic situation of the people in both countries: “growing poverty, poor salaries, decreasing buying power and at the same time enrichment of a few ”.
Another concern is growing insecurity in both countries. “Widespread violence and banditry reveal the fragility of our societies still feeling the effects of recent conflict, proliferation of arms and impunity ” the statement reads. “In this context programmes to rehabilitate former soldiers of the army and armed movements must include education and technical training programmes particularly for demobilised child soldiers. Our Churches are called to make their contribution in the field of formation ”.
The members of ACOREB stress the need “to promote studies with regard to the social-political crises affecting countries and the role of the Church in this situation. These studies should help provide correct information to form a healthy public opinion and favour necessary conditions for reconciliation, development and lasting peace”.
The Bishops concluded their meeting encouraging the Catholics of Burundi to strive to promote reconciliation in this difficult period of transition which will lead to the building of democratic institutions. They invite the Catholics of Rwanda to face the traditional Africa “Gacaca” courts (charged with examining crimes committed during the genocide) in a spirit of truth, harmony and peace. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 5/5/2004, righe 35 parole 400)