NAIROBI (CNS): As Ituri, a province in northeastern Congo, reels from yet another deadly attack, Catholic leaders there are talking to the militias in an effort to prevent more violence.
“It is very difficult for the Church to do its work,” Father Justin, the vicar general of the Diocese of Bunia Father Zanamuzi said. “The Church and the bishop have been reaching out to the militia leaders asking them to stop the violence. They promise they would stop, but give demands. For example, they ask the government to recognise their military ranks and titales.”
Pope Francis is expected to visit the country from July 2 to 5. He is scheduled to visit Kinshasa, the capital, and Goma, in the eastern province of North Kivu. While there, he is expected to inspire and encourage the people who have been victims of war for many years.
Ituri is a mineral and natural resources-rich region in the country’s northeast. Precious minerals such as gold, coltan, cassiterite, diamond and oil are found aplenty and the region’s forests are a source of timber.
Church leaders believe that competition for resources is one of the main causes of the violence among others such as ethnic animosity, political manipulation and the need to be recognised.
At the center of the violence in Ituri is the Cooperative for the Development of Congo, or CODECO, a mainly ethnic Lendu militia group, and the Ituri Self-Defense Popular Front, a mainly Hema ethnic militia popularly known as Zaire. The Lendu are agriculturalists while the Hema are herders.
On May 8, a militia group attacked an artisanal mine, killing at least 40 people. Local sources said more than 100 people were missing. On February 1, an attack left at least 60 people dead. The victims were either shot dead or chopped with machetes. About 40 others were injured in the attack.
Father Zanamuzi said Church leaders were staying close to the people, frequently visiting those affected by the militia violence, some of whom were in camps for displaced persons.
“The people are crying out for help. They believe the government is able to stop the violence, but its efforts are not visible. The people are disappointed and discouraged,” Father Zanamuzi said.
