Bukavu (Fides Service)-“Threats travel over the air. All these poor people want is peace and all they get are threats. And sad to sad intimidation is having its effect” local sources in the eastern Congo town of Bukavu, who ask not to be named for security reasons, told Fides. “Lists are being circulated of people and media allegedly guilty of fomenting hatred against Banyamulenge, Rwandan Tutsi settled in eastern Congo. In most cases the accusations are totally unfounded.
The Rwandan government has been saying for days it will intervene in Congo to disarm Hutu militia responsible for the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 who took refuge in Congo, in north and south Kivu. “Official sources confirm that between 4 to 10 thousand Rwandan troops have entered the country” the sources told Fides. “War is on the doorstep, or perhaps it has already started”. The Congo government said it is sending 10,000 troops to the region to reinforce local garrisons. Their job is to prevent Hutu militia from attacking Rwandan territory and anyone from attacking territory of Congo.
Rumours of war started the day after the Great Lakes summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, attended by 11 African heads of state and government who signed solemn resolution to transform the region into “a zone of lasting peace and security” (see Fides 20 November 2004). “It is the same old story: declarations of peace are inevitably followed by war. This deception leads the people to despair and lose all hope” the sources told Fides. “We have to realise: all sorts of people are attracted by Congo’s wealth and every excuse is good for grabbing it”.
Fides sources say other actors are involved: “There are reports that Ugandan troops are moving and men loyal to former President Mobutu are in contact with Rwanda to take power in the region”. Relations between Uganda and Rwanda, allies a short while ago, appear to have grown cold and the governments accuse one another of supporting respective Opposition groups.
The United Nations has about 11,000 UN MONUC peacekeepers in eastern Congo (MONUC). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2004 righe 33 parole 445)