AFRICA/D. R. CONGO - “Let us prevent more wars and work instead for the development of our country” Catholic Bishops call on all Congolese to shoulder responsibility for building a better Congo

Tuesday, 10 July 2007

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- The Catholic Bishops of Democratic Republic of Congo in a message to mark Congo's Independence Day, called for a “great national leap forward and a new mentality to save the country from new danger”
The message was issued at the end of the 43rd assembly of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Congo held in the capital, Kinshasa, 3 to 7 July. “We must not sleep, our house is on fire” the Bishops write, recalling that because of its abundant natural resources Congo has always been an object of conquest since the Berlin Conference in 1885 when European powers divided Africa among themselves. “Our national leaders must watch carefully to prevent the sacking of natural resources on the basis of old colonial archives or a process of balkanisation”. Reported papers found in some of the oldest archives in Europe indicated the presence of vast natural resources hitherto untapped.
After recalling their previous interventions on the situation in Congo, while recognising progress made in the past twelve months (especially with regard to a peaceful general election), the Bishops express concern for persisting insecurity in many parts of the country.
“In every diocese all over the country episodes are reported which demonstrate insecurity: robberies, rapes, violence, hostage taking, exaggerated taxes, arbitrary arrests. We condemn these crimes committed by members of the police, the army and foreign rebel troops present on our national territory” the document affirms. “The imminent working of oil resources under Lake Alberto, in Ituri, where the situation is already tense, is causing concern as to whether the local people will benefit. The people want to know the truth and they fear oil wars”. In this situation the Bishops stress the need for “the authorities, the people and all men and women of good to join forces to spare the country from another war. For the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Congo, national sovereignty and national integrity are non negotiable”.
The Bishops call for transparency in managing the country's natural resources and they urge Congolese to invest in the sector, not rely only on foreign investment and aid. “A country can never develop on foreign aid alone. Only hard work and transparent managing brings real development. The hour for Congolese investors has come!” the document says. “Foreign aid is necessary but only as a means of support. It is the duty of the Congolese to desire to invest in their country. It is necessary to abandon writing off public goods, to avoid corruption and venality and to set to work to create a rich Congo and make sure we are longer listed as one of the world's most corrupt, indebted and poorest countries. God helps those who help themselves!” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/7/2007 righe 41 parole 520)


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