Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service)- “On Saturday 3 July at 10am to border between Congo and Rwanda was opened and supply trucks started to cross into Congo. This is an important sign of hope for a speedy return to normality ” say local Fides sources in Bukavu, main town of the South Kivu region in Democratic Congo after the reopening of the Congo-Rwanda border. Rwanda closed its border about a month ago claiming this was necessary for security due to the presence in Congo of Interhamwe Hutu militia originally from Rwanda responsible for the genocide in 1994. The border was reopened the day after a meeting between the Presidents of Rwanda and Congo in Nigeria on 25 June, which helped relieve tension between the two countries.
“Ninety percent of supplies and services to Bukavu comes via Rwanda. Even the post service is based in the Rwandan town of Cyangugu just over the border” local sources told Fides. “It is obvious than that the re-opening of the border is essential for life in Bukavu, all the more because the road going south to Uvira, not far from the border with Burundi, is still closed because of the presence of Mutebusi’s rebel soldiers”. Colonel Mutebusi leads of group of rebel soldiers which took Bukavu for a few days at the beginning of June. Chased by Kinshasa army troops the rebels fled south blocking the road to Uvira.
On the front of the Interhamwe, last week a commander of the Hutu militia Paul Rwarakabije joined the Rwandan army and he given the grade of general. “He is not the first Interhamwe leader to join the Rwandan army ” local sources told Fides. “This fact can be interpreted in two different ways. Either it is a genuine process of peace making in which former enemies had in their arms and in exchange are accepted as members of the regular army. Or some Interhamwe militia have been paid to justify the presence of the Rwandan army in Eastern Congo. Apart from these interpretations it is anyhow important that some Interhamwe member surrender and leave Congo”.
“Lessening of tension between Congo - Rwanda could be the result of the appearance of a moderate wing in the Rwandan government which wants to improve relations with Congo” local sources told Fides. “This at the moment is only an idea. We shall see in developments if it is confirmed ”.
The African Union will discuss, among other things, the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, during its Summit Meeting, which opens tomorrow July 6 in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 5/7/2004 righe 37 parole 470)
