Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bukavu (Fides Service) -“They keep talking about peace while rumours of imminent assaults on the town continue” said a local source in Bukavu, main town in southern Kivu, in the east of Democratic Congo, in recent months the scene of a crisis after troops of the main rebel group RCD-Goma attempted to take the town. “It is feared that in the next few days troops led by General Nkunda, leader of a part of RCD-Goma, will advance on Bukavu” the source told Fides. “At the same time some say the Interhamwe, Rwandan Hutu responsible for the 1994 genocide who fled to Congo ten years ago, are also planning to take the town” the source added.
“Bukavu at the moment is quiet, but reinforcement troops sent by the central government are very visible, there are soldiers everywhere on the streets. A few days ago fighting started between soldiers of the 10th Military Region, in charge of operations in this area, and the Interhamwe. But they still intend to use peaceful measures to convince the militia to disarm. It will not be easy because the Interhamwe are well armed and ready for anything” the local source said, adding: “One wonders how these militia who have been hiding on the forest for 10 years can be so well armed? Does someone want to keep them alive to feed instability in Congo in order to justify foreign interventions?”.
The situation is no less concerning in Goma, north Kivu, where people who oppose the RCD are still being killed. Every day someone is killed, usually the most educated people with some social responsibility. No less than 19 men, intellectuals and businessmen were murdered in nine days. There have been protests. Even women gathered in the streets calling for the dismissal of the commander of the 7th military region, meant to guarantee security in north-Kivu province.
In the meantime the summit of foreign ministers of the Great Lake Region of Africa, started today 16 November in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). The purpose of the summit is to draft a statement to submit to the now imminent “Conference for peace, security, democracy and development in the Great Lakes Region” also in Dar es Salaam 19 and 20 November. It is hoped that the Conference will come up with solutions to the conflicts in the Region. The countries taking part are Angola, Burundi, Congo Brazzaville, Kenya, Central African Republic, Democratic Congo, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
The Catholic Bishops of the region say the ‘Conference for peace, security, democracy and development in the Great Lakes Region’ will be an opportunity to build together lasting peace and heal the wounds caused by years of armed violence. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/11/2004 righe 39 parole 502)
