AFRICA/CONGO RD - More clashes in east Congo. Fides say reported figure of 300,000 displaced persons is exaggerated

Thursday, 29 July 2004

Bukavu (Fides Service)- The situation is uncertain and confused in South Kivu, the eastern region of Democratic Congo where, according to international media sources, more than 300,000 people are fleeing Kahele, 60 km from Bukavu, main town in the region. “This is figure is exaggerated ” local sources told Fides. “The entire population of Bukavu is 300,000 and Kahele is a group of small villages in the forest. So there cannot be that many people in flight”.
However clashes between the regular army and the militia led by rebel General Laurent Nkunda, one of the leaders of main rebel group RCD-Goma (Union Congolese for Democracy), mainly Banyamulenge Tutsi of Rwandan origin but resident in east Congo for decades. “Communications have been cut so it is have precise information on the situation” the sources told Fides.
In the meantime dissent among the Banyamulenge grows. According to Fides sources who ask not to be named, “some Banyamulenge in the Rwandan town of Cyangugu, near Bukavu, have been taken hostage by their former companions”. At least four according to Fides sources, who were able to name only two: Kadage who wrote a letter in March this year accusing the local Church of preparing a “genocide” of the Banyamulenge; and Matthias, former RCD secret service agent. “No one knows why these men are being held hostage. Certainly the split in the Banyamulenge world is more evident every day” our sources comment.
The problem is the re-insertion of Banyamulenge in the social and political life of the country: one group wants to stop fighting and return to society, the others, more intransigent, want to continue to use force to obtain their demands. “The problem is difficult to solve, because the Banyamulenge are seen by other Congolese as people who started two wars in a few years come: 1996-97 and 1998-2003. People have not forgotten the violence they suffered. Many homes were occupied by force and the legitimate proprietors were sent away”.
“The Congolese say that if the Banyamulenge want to be considered Congolese they should ask for nationality individually not demand it en masse. This is the main problem. And this could be the political space for negotiation to reach stability in the region” our sources conclude. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/7/2004 righe 37 parole 463)


Share: