Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bukavu (Fides Service)- There has been a fresh outburst of fighting in Bukavu, main city of southern Kivu in eastern Democratic Congo for weeks the scene of conflict between the regular army and rebels of the RCD-Goma (Congolese Union for Democracy). “Troops loyal to Kinshasa are attacking to take back the city” local sources who ask not to be named for security reasons told Fides. “Most of the RCD-Goma men (about 2,000) under the orders of Laurent Nkunda have withdrawn from Bukavu, sacking and looted as they left. In the city terror still reigns secret agents of the rebel movement continue the manhunt for journalists and human rights activists” Fides sources said.
“We have reliable testimony with regard to the presence of Rwandan troops fighting alongside the RCD-Goma militia. According to several eyewitnesses some militia were wearing UN peacekeeper uniforms and were riding white jeeps like those used by the United Nations” Fides sources said. “If confirmed this fact is yet another proof of the level misinformation with regard to this war. The RCD guerrillas who are Tutsi Banyamulenge of Rwandan origin, resident in Congo for decades, say they are protecting themselves from a genocide similar to the one in Rwanda 10 years ago. But this is untrue, no one wants to commit such a crime. What is true is that someone wants instead to prevent the installation in east Congo of an administration under the control of the central government in Kinshasa. And this is the strategy which feeds this war and which, it should be remembered, has killed more than 3.5 million Congolese since 1998” Fides sources said.
Rwanda has announced its border with Congo is closed.
The local religious leaders have launched an appeal to save peace in the country and to stop the fighting in the eastern regions. In a statement dated 4 June, a copy of which was sent to Fides, representatives of Catholics, other Christians and Muslims confirmed commitment to promote national unity calling on “the country’s political leaders to examine their conscience with regard to responsibility for the present chaotic situation. We call on Congolese politicians to assume their part of responsibility to put an end to this tragedy”. The religious leaders called on the United Nations Organisation to give its peacekeeping mission in Congo MONUC the necessary means to protect civilians in danger and save the transition process which should lead to peace. The statement was signed for the local Catholic community by Cardinal Frederick Etsou, Archbishop Kinshasa. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 7/6/2004 righe 37 parole 471)
