Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bukavu (Fides Service)- “This at last could be a turning point for Walungu and Kabare. Unfortunately the use of violence also means innocent people are killed but the situation in those areas is such that there was no alternative” said a local source in Bukavu south Kivu where yesterday 4 July, the United Nations Mission in Democratic Congo MONUC launched Falcon Sweep operation to retake control of Walungu and Kabare.
For years in these two areas, situated west of Bukavu, armed militia groups, Congolese and foreign, have harassed and killed local civilians (see Fides 21 June 2005). The MONUC operation involves 400 peace-keepers and several hundred Congolese troops. “These local troops are part of the new national army formed by a fusion of armed groups which signed a peace agreement. The men were trained with the help of the international community. MONUC is offering leadership and logistic support for the operation launched yesterday” the source told Fides. Peace keepers involved in the operation include special jungle corps from Guatemala and troops from Pakistan and South Africa.
MONUC decided to plan and launch an operation after several civilians were killed in an attack by local militia groups on May 23.
“It is too early to guess the outcome of the operation” the source told Fides. “We hope it will succeed in putting the whole country back under the control of the regular army and MONUC so all civilians are guaranteed real security”.
For some time since the June 30 elections were postponed unrest has been growing in Congo. “The postponement was painful but necessary. It is impossibile to hold an election when part of the country escapes the control of the nation’s legitimate forces” the source told Fides. “In fact millions of voters would be unable to take part. First the territorial sovereignty of the country must be guaranteed and then there can be an election”.
“The postponement of elections has another positive aspect. It means the work of informing and educating people on how and why to vote can continue for a few months. It should not be forgotten that most people here will be voting for the first time. Democracy is not improvised it must be built up with care” the source concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 5/7/2005 righe 37 parole 453)
