Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bukavu (Fides Service)- Sad faces of people who have suffered too much welcomed a caravan of Peace and Solidarity as it reached Kaniola, local sources said with regard to the caravan sent by the city of Bukavu to the towns Kaniola and Walungu (respectively 60 and 40 km from Bukavu) which shelter refugees from outlying villages fleeing violence by Interahamwe militia a term used to refer to groups of armed Rwandan Hutu which attack and kill civilians.
Eyewitnesses say villagers in areas controlled by the Interahamwe are treated like slaves. “Every family has to supply the occupiers with a basket of yam and one of manioc” the report said. The situation in this areas was the subject of a recent report by EURAC, European network of NGOS for central Africa (see Fides 22 April 2005).
In Walungu at least 150 people are sheltering in the sports stadium. The people have come here to escape militia violence in the villages of Budodo and Nzibira. Until recently there were 5,000 people in the stadium. However the local authorities and the United Nations Mission in Congo MONUC convinced them to return to their homes. But those who did go home still live in insecurity. During the day time they work but they spend the night in the manioc fields or near army camps. So many children have died of hunger or cold. It is understandable that the 150 still in the stadium resist pressure to return home because the situation has not improved.
Detailed information with regard to violence on local people has been collected. This unimaginable violence must be brought before international justice. But who are the perpetrators? It is difficult to indicate precise responsibilities since there has been no serious international investigation. There are various groups operating in the area including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda DFLR, the main Rwandan opposition group which recently signed an agreement in Rome to return peacefully to Rwanda. The main suspects are however the Rasta a mixed group of about twelve Rwandan Hutu and Congolese bandits which escape the control of the DFLR. They are said to receive aid from former Congolese soldiers who give them information on the territory.
In this situation the people are calling for forceful intervention on the part of the Congolese authorities and the MONUC UN peacekeepers to guarantee their security. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/5/2005 righe 39 parole 493)
