Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – The launch of a new military offensive in North and South Kivu (eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo) against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda raises several questions on the part of missionaries in the "Peace for the Congo" Network. A note sent by the Network to Agenzia Fides notes that "the Congolese military authorities have announced the termination of the Kimya II (see Fides 19/11/2009) military operation waged against the FDLR and the beginning of a new operation called “Amani leo” ("Peace now" in Swahili). These are two things that raise some questions."
"If, according to official statements, Kimya II was a success for having achieved its goals, why has it been stopped and not continued?" the missionaries are asking. Perhaps, because the official statements, highly positive, do not correspond to reality and have been contradicted by the last report of the UN Group of Experts for the DRC and several human rights groups have said clearly affirmed the failure of Kimya II, which not only failed to disarm and repatriate a significant number of Rwandan rebels, but was also unable to dismantle the structure of local control and prevent their return in some mining areas from which they had been removed. These failures are aggravated by the additional humanitarian crisis that comes as a result of the "side effects" of the operation: killed civilians, burned villages, rape, theft, displacement, ... "
According to the "Peace for the Congo" Network, the new operation, Amani Leo, "does not promise to be any different, as there has been no change in leadership personnel. However, it affirms that it will be less offensive and more defensive, in comparison with Kimya II. Perhaps they have seen that the best way to combat the FDLR attacks is to reduce the military pressure on them and increase opportunities for political dialogue and negotiations? This is what is hoped. Moreover, military operations against the FDLR have been used to divert public attention, nationally and internationally, from the great problems of the Great Lakes Region: the illegal trade of mineral resources, lack of democracy and dictatorial tendencies, violations of human rights, non-respect of national sovereignty, and inviolability of borders, attempts of expansionism and hegemony, corruption, impunity, salary payment problems ... "conclude the missionaries. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/2/2010)
