Kinshasa (Fides Service) - In northern Kivu, an eastern province of Congo on the borders with Uganda and Rwanda, a forgotten war has been fought since 1998 when Ugandan and Rwandan troops occupied the region. With them are a series of rebel movements fighting the government of Kinshasa. Over the years these groups have divided among themselves and many alliances have been reversed: yesterday's friend is the enemy of today and vice versa. The situation continues to evolve and is therefore difficult to "photograph". We give a brief summary, which may help to understand the situation, and the plea launched by the missionaries. The RCD-ML Rassemblement Congolais pour la Democratie-Movement de Liberation is supported by Uganda and led by Mbusa Nyamwisi. The RCD-ML is present, with its circa 1000 men in Beni and Lubero and the north Kivu. Nyamwisi has sought repeated to make an alliance with small groups of Mai Mai. These tribal warriors are themselves divided in two rival groups led by commanders Mudohu and Lohvako, both Nande, the largest ethnic group in this part of Congo. The Mai Mao still has the support of the people despite their actions of sacking. The Interahamwe Rwandan troops (Hutu extremists responsible for massacres in Rwanda in 1994) are camped at Loufti and Bingi. Well armed some in uniform they make frequent ambushes. The Movement for the liberation of Congo MLC is led by Jean-Pierre Bemba. Although an ally of Uganda he often fights the RCD-ML of Nyamwisi another client of Kampala. Bemba and another group formed the Congo Liberation Army. (Fides Service 8/11/2002)
Statement on Democratic Congo issued by the Generalate of the Dehonian Missionaries
Report on the events in Mambasa 12 October 2002