Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangui (Fides Service) – Africa is known to the general public for its humanitarian emergencies, its wars, its calamities. For a moment media attention is riveted on the continent, humanitarian organisations go into action, at times also troops are deployed, but once the first emergency is over the matter is forgotten and world attention tires and turns to something new.
At present, Liberia is the African country at the centre of attention: the question is how to end a civil war which has waged since 1999 and rebuild state infra structures. But what happens to a country when world media spotlights turn elsewhere?
Let’s take for example the Central African Republic which just came out of a civil war, ended on March 15 with the fall of president Ange-Felix Patasse, ousted by troops loyal to former army chief General Francois Bozize. The latter took power in June this year and was recognised as president of the Central African Republic by neighbouring countries belonging to CEMAC economic an d monetary union of Central Africa. (See Fides Service 6 June 2003) http://www.fides.org/eng/news/2003/0306/06_238.html.
A few months later we return to see how the process of a return to normality is faring. “For months the country has been harassed by banditry on the roads and general insecurity” local Comboni missionaries in Bangui tell Fides Service. “Now the situation has improved, at least here in Bangui. Peacekeepers sent by African countries help local authorities keep law and order. The country today is by no means an oasis of peace and certain areas are not yet under the control of the authorities, but people need no longer fear being held up by bandits on roads and robbed of everything.
Thanks to improved security missionaries have been able to resume their pastoral work. During the civil war seven missions were sacked, particularly those situated in the north. “A number of religious orders are now repairing their missions” the Comboni Fathers say. “Although it is still necessary to act with prudence in some areas, Bossangoa for example, the overall situation has improved. For example we can move about freely from one mission to the other. Missions are often hundreds of kilometres apart” the missionaries say.
“The improved security is important but alone it cannot guarantee the return to normality. The country’s economy is feeble: state workers went on strike again asking for wages to be paid. The only way to help the country, if there is the will to do so, is to help the growth of its economy”. LM (Fides Service 12/9/2003 EM lines 33 Words: 443)
