Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- “Much remains to be done to consolidate peace in Democratic Congo” according to a report issued by the NGO International Crisis Group which specialises in investigation and analysis of crisis areas. The report “Congo: Consolidating Peace” acknowledges progress has been made in the past year following elections in 2006 which led to the reunification of the country after a long process of political transition after a peace agreement reached in 2003, which put an end to five years of regional war.
However the report says the fragility of the situation in Congo is due to “an authoritarian attitude of regime” whose relations with the opposition have deteriorated and persistent instability in the east of the country. “Although the outbreak of open war is unlikely- the report - violence in Bas-Congo (west) and Kinshasa at the beginning of 2007, in which over 400 people were killed, and fresh threats of conflict in Kivu north and south, reflect Congo's fragility”.
To improve the situation International Crisis Group suggests the government should work together with the UN mission in Congo MONUC and local institutions to launch “a global initiative for peace in Kivu”, the eastern region still insecure due to the presence of armed militia groups. The local Catholic Church has intervened several times to denounce violence against civilians in the area (see Fides 4 and 28 June 2007). The report urges Congo and its eastern neighbours to use to channels of “diplomacy and dialogue” to solve controversies and suggests the elaboration of two “white papers” respectively on the Congolese Armed Forces and the country's judicial system, two sectors which show serious inadequacies. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/7/2007 righe 28 parole 315)
