Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service)- “Fighting continues and the situation is ever more tense” say Fides sources in the north-eastern Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo where two guerrilla groups FAPC (Armed Forces of the People of Congo) and FNI (Front of Nationalists and Integrationists) are fighting each other, reportedly for control of the local gold fields.
“The fighting began in the area of Zani and gradually spread to other parts of north Ituri” local sources told Fides. “Last year in July these groups formed and alliance which foresaw the creation of mixed contingents to be distributed all over the regional territory. When rivalry exploded and the mixed groups split, the militiamen on either side started fighting each other”.
For a long time both FAPC and FNI were backed by neighbouring Uganda. “At the moment we are certain that FAPC has direct contact with Ugandan officials and economic operators, particularly people in the north western town of Arua Uganda” local sources told Fides. The involvement of Ugandan officials does not necessarily imply that the central government is also involved. Both FAPC and FNI have ethnic connections with Uganda. “FAPC also has ethnic affinities with Rwanda, but so far there is no evidence that this country is implicated in the present situation” the sources told Fides.
“What is certain is that rival groups are being supported in order to control them better and create a situation of chaos in which businessmen without scruples steal Congo’s resources” the sources told Fides.
Innocent civilians bear the brunt as always in this sort of situation. “There is a massive movement of people all over the region. There are thousands of refugees and many are being sheltered and assisted by Catholic Church structures” the sources told Fides. “At least 3000 families have been accommodated at the minor seminary at Zida; a few thousand people are in two local parish compounds; another hundred have been settled at the Uganjo pastoral centre. Thousands of displaced persons are on the move towards the town of Mahagi, where diocesan structures are preparing to accommodate them. A good number of Congolese have crossed into Uganda” our sources concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/7/2004 righe 34 parole 436)
