The spiritual leader of the Catholics and the head of the Vatican Pope Francis is concerned about the aggravation of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and hopes that violence will cease as soon as possible.
This pontiff stated during his traditional general audience on Wednesday in the Paul VI hall in the Vatican.
“I am concerned about the deterioration of the security situation in the DR Congo. I urge conflicting parties to stop hostilities and to protect civilians in homes and other areas affected by military operations,” said the spiritual leader of the Catholics
Pope Francis noted that he also monitors the development of events in the capital of Rwanda, Kinshasa.
“I hope that all forms of violence against people and their property will stop as soon as possible. I pray for the speedy restoration of peace and security and urge the local authorities and the international community to resolve the conflict peacefully,” said pontiff.
Collisions in DR Congo
Since the beginning of the year, more than 400 thousand people have been forced to leave their homes due to the ongoing fierce clashes between security forces and the Movement of March 23 group (M23), which arose as a result of a disruption of a peace agreement signed by the countries of the region on March 23, 2009 In order to ensure security in the east of DR Congo.
M23 established control over many villages and cities of the region. Earlier, the group was blocked by the administrative center of the Northern Province of Kivu-Goma, disableing the water supply and power supply system of the city with a population of about 1 million people.
the UN and the authorities of the Congo accuse Rwand of support for the M23. However, the Rwanda authorities reject these accusations. M23 mainly consists of representatives of the Tutsi tribe, the native of which is the President of Rwanda Paul Kagama.