Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - Over the last three weeks, in North Kivu (eastern Democratic Republic of Congo), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), have stepped up reprisals against the civilian population in response to the joint military operation conducted by Rwanda and the DRC in February. This is what a statement from the Jesuit Relief Services (JRS) says, in confirmation of Fides' report yesterday (see Fides 13/5/2009).
The humanitarian aid group promoted by the Jesuits highlights the difficulties in obtaining information in the area: “On 12 April, rebels killed at least 14 people of which four civilians when attacking governmental forces in an isolated area around 100km west of the provincial capital, Goma. News about the incident reached the media only more than a week later due to the isolated location and the lack of telecommunication infrastructure. During another cruel incident less than a week later in the Lubero territory, the rebels set fire to more than 250 houses and killed at least seven people, five of them children.”
The joint military operation is fruit of a wider accord between the two governments in an effort to end rebel activity led by Laurent Nkunda, who had been supported by Rwanda. In exchange for the arrest of Nkunda and the sponsorship of a peace accord with his movement, Rwanda has gained power to launch an offensive against the FDLR. However, the rebels have taken their revenge out on innocent civilians. Nkunda's rebellion has profoundly marked North Kivu. In spite of the fact that 350,000 refugees have been able to return to their homes, there are still thousands of people living in camps run by humanitarian aid organizations.
“We don’t feel safe yet, there is no security in the villages despite the peace agreement. The FDLR continues to use violence against the local population (…) the solution is to encourage the rebels to return home voluntarily with the support of the international community", a displaced in Buhimba camp told JRS on 28 April. A father of seven children living in Bulengo camp since December 2007 adds that he does not believe the March peace agreement will be implemented. Insecurity and impunity is rampant in our home villages and people fear they will be harassed by ex-rebels on their return, he says. “I don't want to return home because the weapons are in the hands of unknown people.”
According to the JRS, a military attack on the FDLR is being prepared for South Kivu, where the rebels have various strongholds. “Human Rights groups have continuously warned that military operation against the FDLR increases considerably the risk of reprisals against the local population. Opening another front in the south risks worsening the already worrying humanitarian situation in the north,” the statement said. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 14/5/2009)
