Bukavu ( Fides Service)- “At last the UN mission MONUC has acted and prevented what everyone feared would be a third war in Congo” a local source in Bukavu, main town of south Kivu eastern Democratic Congo, told Fides after UN Peacekeepers MONUC created a cushion zone between warring parties to prevent another conflict between regular army troops and rebels supported by Rwanda.
A United Nations spokesman said UN peacekeepers had been sent to Kanyabayonga, where violent fighting was reported over the past few days, and to Lubero in the Ituri.
“The deployment of UN troops has stopped the fighting, apart from some sporadic shooting. “But there are at least 150,000 refugees who fled the fighting in Kanyabayonga and are now in desperate need. As we prepare for Christmas the world should remember these less fortunate brothers and sisters in need” a missionary working in the area told Fides. The missionary asked not to be named for security reasons.
“In Bukavu, the situation is relatively quiet and everyone hopes for a Christmas of peace ” the missionary said. “People are preparing for Christmas with faith and devotion. The churches are full of people who come to take part in Novenas and go to confession”.
“At night time thought, the UN peacekeepers still intercept spies and infiltrators attempting to cross Lake Kivu. This reminds us that the situation is not yet stable” the missionary concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/12/2004 righe 28 parole 320)