Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – Bishop Philibert Tembo Nlandu of Budjala (Democratic Republic of the Congo) has requested the support of the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of basic social needs, Nzanga Mobutu, for the return of displaced persons from Dongo, in the northwestern Equateur Province. Between October and November 2009 this area had been affected by violent inter-communal clashes between the Enyele and Munzaya tribes for disputes concerning the rights of agriculture and fisheries, which seems to be associated with an attempt to destabilize this area of the country (see Fides 11/12/2009). An estimated 100,000 people have been displaced from the area: several tens of thousands have been accommodated in various locations of the DRC (including Budjala), while others are in the Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville).
Bishop Tembo was received by the Deputy Prime Minister and discussed the needs of the displaced persons and their possible return to Dongo.
"To achieve a greater involvement by the DRC government in improving the situation on the ground, I met with the Vice-Premier who is especially entrusted with overseeing the basic needs of society. The displaced people are victims of epidemics, hunger, insecurity and lack of accommodation as well as in need of many other basic items. We discovered that the country is powerless in the face of this situation," Bishop Tembo told reporters after his meeting. The Bishop has called for the personal involvement of the Head of State, Joseph Kabila, and other higher authorities of the nation to end this tragic situation.
For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Nzanga Mobutu has promised a positive response to the requests made by the Bishop of Budjala. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/2/2010)
