AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA - The Bishops: "The wild exploitation of the country's resources is destroying the environment"

Wednesday, 19 January 2022 environment   bishops  

Bangui (Agenzia Fides) - "The degradation and destruction of our ecosystem are frightening", denounce the Bishops of the Central African Republic in the message published at the end of their first Plenary Assembly this year. The Prelates underline that the natural resources of their Country are plundered by "foreigners with the complicity of some of our compatriots". "We wholeheartedly ask for transparency around the conventions between the Central African Republic and foreign partners and countries", they ask.
The wild exploitation of Central Africa's natural resources (see Fides, 2/5/2019) is also favored by the crisis of moral values, another evil that afflicts the Country as recalled in the message: "Corruption, illicit enrichment, mismanagement, incompetence and lack of professional ethics in some state services, abuse of authority and injustice are all symptoms that highlight the crisis of moral values".
A moral crisis that, the Bishops underline, affects childhood exploited by "dishonest adults, who strong in their stature and social position, take advantage of the naivety of children and exploit them for sexual purposes, thus mortgaging their youth and their future".
In this regard, in September the UN ordered the withdrawal of about 450 Gabonese peacekeepers from its peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic, after allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse on which the Libreville government has opened an investigation. In addition to gold, diamonds and timber, the resources being exploited in Central Africa are cassiterite, iron, manganese, copper, or so-called rare earths, essential components for the digital and "green" economy. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 19/1/2022)


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