President Felix Tshisekedi Congo’s bishops said territory in the east of the country is being ceded to violent extremists, who are using the lack of government control to massacre civilians and plunder resources.
“We do not understand why the Democratic Republic of Congo’s armed forces, backed by the United Nations Stabilisation Mission, have not managed to neutralise these national and foreign armed groups,” the bishops’ conference said.
“We call on the president to assume fully a head of state’s responsibilities, by installing a genuine state of law and establishing conditions for the army to respond effectively to its mission of defending and safeguarding national unity.”
“Our populations feel abandoned, as plans to destabilise and Balkanise our country are orchestrated from abroad with the complicity of certain compatriots,” they said.
The bishops said hopes for “a true break from the previous system of governance” had been encouraged by President Felix Tshisekedi’s release of political prisoners and “opening of political and media spaces”.
However, they added that they were now concerned by long delays in the appointment of office-holders, as well as by rampant corruption and injustice, the restriction of civil rights, and a lack of preparation for local elections, scheduled for September 22.
Armed gangs
They added that armed gangs were “sowing death and desolation” in eastern provinces, as treatment centres for Ebola and measles also came under attack.
“We urge the Congolese people to unite, take up their destiny and realise that change means a struggle for us all, and not allow a minority to take our homeland and future hostage,” the bishops said.
Media reported massacres in Beni and Butembo by Islamist fighters from Uganda and Nigeria.
In early June, the bishops of Bukavu said a “nebulous Islamic State” had boasted of mass killings; the bishops demanded firmer action from the government.
“We are alarmed by the proliferation of armed groups and thugs, who perpetrate attacks (and) kidnappings and pillage with the aim of massively displacing the population — these situations highlight the state’s downfall,” the Bukavu bishops said. “The wealth of our land cannot continue to enrich the pockets of criminals and foreign capital, while Congolese suffer in poverty.”