AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA - A New Hope for Central Africa destroyed by civil war

Wednesday, 23 March 2016 missionaries   peace  

Bangui (Agenzia Fides) - "For almost four months - apart from some isolated incident and without any particular consequences – there has been no shooting in Bangui" writes to Agenzia Fides Fr. Federico Trinchero, Discalced Carmelite missionary who carries out his pastoral care in the convent Notre Dame du Mont Carmel in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, where, due to the civil war which broke out in 2012, 5,031 displaced people have been welcomed (see Fides 04/12/2014). The Country is experiencing a season of hope with the election of the new President, Faustin-Archange Touadéra (see Fides 25/02/2016).
"The election campaign and the elections (presidential and legislative with first and second round) were held without major problems or particular incidents. Maybe they were not perfect elections, but we must consider and appreciate that an important step was taken to lead the country towards normalization", said Fr. Federico.
"There is no doubt that Pope Francis’ visit to Bangui - on 29 and 30 November 2015 - significantly contributed to this change of course. Perhaps it is not an exaggeration to say that the Pope's visit was decisive", says the missionary.
"If the war is probably over, there is, however, an important battle to fight against poverty and underdevelopment. Then there are still some areas of the Country where the authority of the State and peacekeepers are struggling to impose themselves. Also the threats of the LRA (see Fides 10/02/2016), already active in the eastern part of the country, like those of Boko Haram, active in northern Cameroon, bordering the north-western part of Central Africa, are not to be underestimated. It is also important to win the battle of reconciliation between Christians and Muslims".
"Now it is time to get to work. Everyone, starting mainly from Central Africans, who should love their Country more, be more demanding with regard to those who govern them, stop blaming others and dream for a different Central Africa", concludes the missionary . (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/03/2016)


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