The secretary general of the Bishops Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo says the situation in the conflict-hit eastern part of the country is “catastrophic”. Source: Crux.
Msgr Donatien Nshole was speaking shortly after meeting with the country’s Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seal, Constant Mutamba, on January 21.
There has been intense fighting in recent months between the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and government forces in the mineral-rich eastern region of the DRC, with more than 200,000 people being forced from their homes.
Rwanda has been accused by the United Nations of having 4,000 soldiers fighting alongside the M23 in the DRC. However, there are 120 armed groups fighting in the east of the country.
“We are aware of the situation in the east,” Msgr Nshole said at the end of the meeting with Mr Mutamba.
“The security situation, the humanitarian situation is catastrophic,” he said.
“Personally, I was on a mission a few years ago before the situation got worse. We saw first-hand the reality of our soldiers.
“It’s not just the soldiers; let’s think of all the displaced people, all the families, all the people living in the forest, all the victims, and the orphaned children.
“So they need peace, they need prayer. This would be an opportunity to intensify the prayers we are already making for peace,” the priest said.
“It’s a complicated situation,” said Elie Mbulegheti, the Director of Communications of Caritas Butembo-Beni, in comments to Crux.
He said the fighting has triggered “mass displacement, led to widespread famine, and serious rights abuses”.
On January 19, Amnesty International issued a damning report on the violations of international humanitarian law both by the Congolese Armed Forces and the M23 rebels.
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Member of Bishops’ Conference says situation in eastern Congo is ‘catastrophic’ (By Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux)
