Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- “Although attention in Democratic Congo is focussed on elections, there are humanitarian crises which cannot be overlooked” Bishop Fulgence Muteba, Catholic bishop of Kilwa-Kasenga, in southern central Katanga region of D.R. Congo, said in a statement on the present situation in that area. The Bishop said although violence has stopped at last it has left profound marks on the people. “Excitement over the elections must not makes us forget our humanitarian problems caused by violence” Bishop Muteba writes.
The Bishop praises the activity of the local Caritas office, humanitarian organisations and MONUC the UN mission to help the displaced persons in what is called the “triangle of death”, because of the increasing presence of gangs of armed militia. However Bishop Muteba criticises the National Commission for Disarmament and Reinsertion of former combatants CONADER: “mixed up in bureaucracy characterised by neglect, the Commission proved to be ineffective”. In this regard the Bishop mentions specific facts: “Not only did it abandon former combatants in inhuman conditions, it also showed considerable incompetence in conflict solving. Its presence in the field is insignificant and its work methods limp”.
Conflict in southern Katanga, for years ignored, was between Mai-Mai militia, former members of the RCD Reunion Congolese for Democracy the main rebel group in east Congo, which signed peace agreement in 2003) and former regular army soldiers (see Fides 23 November 2005, 9 January 2006 and 17 February 2006). In January 2006 the International Crisis Group in Katanga reported the creation of state and military parallel administrations to protect the interests of a few corrupt administrators at the expense of the civilians brutally harassed by the many armed groups in the region.
Therefore Bishop Muteba denounces “the silence which has hidden the conflict for too long and the impunity of those who violate human rights. The warlords who came from the forest have not been brought to justice”. The Bishop says “some even took advantage of the disarmament policy and receiving a few dollars” after handing in their weapons. “Even worse” Bishop Muteba continues “they then went back to show off their purchases to their victims crowded into refugee camps. The return of the criminals and their arrogance caused collective dismay and indignation among the displaced”.
Although violence has stopped many fear that Gédéon’s militia, Gedeon is the chief warlord who surrendered to UN forces (see Fides 22 June 2006), have hidden arms and are ready to resume fighting. A danger which the Bishop says will continue as long as the situation of impunity persists.
The conditions of the people has not improved. The Bishop has this to say about life for displaced people who return to their villages: “these villages look just like camps, hunger still kills many persons. Villages and infrastructures must be rebuilt, cultivations must be attended to, livestock rearing must resume, the people must be reconciled. In a word everything, especially the human person needs rebuilding. But at what price and with what?”(L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/10/2006 righe 48 parole 617)
