Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bukavu (Fides Service) - More than 100,000 civilians are fleeing from the east of Democratic Congo, according to international humanitarian agencies and the United Nations’ Organisations which have voiced deep concern for the situation. “We cannot confirm the figures given by the UN by there is definitely a movement en masse of civilians who are leaving Kivu” local sources in Bukavu told Fides. Bukavu is the main town in south Kivu. “Government troops have started a massive operation to hunt rebels led by renegade general Nkunda. Recently the army to Minova (120 km north of Bukavu), and then went on to Walikale, a small town halfway between Goma e Kisangani” the sources told Fides, and added: “the offensive is not over and important decisions are expected soon. The commanders of the three military regions involved are in the capital Kinshasa, to discuss the next move with the government”.
“According to local reports people are fleeing more out of fear of retaliation than acts of violence. Minova and Walikale fell almost without fighting” the sources told Fides.
Humanitarian agencies say most of the people in flight are Banyamulenge or Tutsi of Rwandan origin who settled in Congo decades ago. The rebels led by general Nkunda are also Banyamulenge. “The question of this people, the Banyamulenge is a sensitive issue. Quite a number of refugees of this ethnic group are returning from camps in Rwanda and the government has promised the international community it will assist them and help them settle. However there is some resentment against the Banyamulenge because for other ethnic groups in Congo they are secessionists” the sources told Fides. “Certainly the international community must help Congo solve this problem but it should not be forgotten that there are thousands more Congolese refugees in Tanzania in need of assistance ” the local sources told Fides.
Tension in north and south Kivu started in the Spring this year when rebels led by general Nkunda and colonel Mutebusi attacked Bukavu but were held off by the regular army. Nkunda and Mutebusi are former members of the RCD Goma, the main guerrilla group in eastern Congo. As a result of a peace agreement both men were integrated with the regular Congolese army. However they refused to obey orders and started a mutiny among the men they commanded, mostly former members of RCD Goma.
RCD Goma agreed to take part in the peace process and to integrates its troops with the regular army which is a fusion of the different groups which fight each other in the civil war 1998-2003; it has representatives in the interim parliament. However there are still extremists in the group which are a danger to the peace process. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/9/2004 righe 42 parole 521)
