By Arnold Neliba
GOMA, JANUARY 30, 2024 (CISA)-Catholic Bishops Members of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACEAC) jointly held Mass in Goma to pray for peace in the eastern part of DRC.
Consisting of the bishops of DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi, they joined thousands of Catholic faithful in praying for for stability in the region which for two years has suffered consequences of insecurity.
The prelates implored “the inspiration of the Holy Spirit throughout the entire extent of the Great Lakes sub-region Lakes so that it triumphs as on the day of Pentecost over differences of ideas, origins, languages, and cultures.”
The Sunday, January 28 Mass was in response to an announcement about the Mass made at the end of the ACEAC Plenary assembly held from January 23 to 26 in Ruhengeri, Rwanda. The Mass for peace was presided over by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, the archbishop of Kinshara.
In his homily, Cardinal Ambongo cautioned politicians from the three Central African Countries; Rwanda, Burundi and DRC against inciting division and conflict because they have “an interest in ensuring that the conflict continues in order to pursue their selfish interests.”
Cardinal Ambongo also blamed the authorities in DRC for the situation in North Kivu for failing to secure their borders, thus losing control of part of the east of the country.
Since 2021, two territories in North Kivu, Rutshuru and Masisi, have been in the grip of a conflict between the M23 rebellion, supported by units of the Rwandan army, and the FARDC (Armed Forces of the DRC), associated with armed groups, Burundian auxiliaries, and two foreign military companies.
According to a report by the Forum of International NGOs, a consortium of 124 international non-governmental organisations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than 2,750 civilians were killed in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between January and June 2023.
In a January attack, 19 people were reported dead following bombardments from a clash between the Congolese army and M23 rebel group.
